Recovered EQUINE Pushers Super Ebony,

From: "John Neal"
To: "John Neal"
Subject: Gypsy's Story
Created: 05/05/2008 13:30:02

I thank all the people who e-mailed me and gave me very good advice on how to find Gypsy. I searched every afternoon for two weeks with out a sighting of her. I had seen a set of single tracks going into a pond not far from were I lost her and that gave me hope. I put feed out in areas were I thought she might be, and I shook her feed bag and called her name all over that 6000-acre reserve. I sent up a prayer every time I went out to search for her and every time I thought of her. I asked the Good Lord to send down an Angel, and keep Gypsy safe and to lead her home.

On Tuesday 4/29/08 at 4:30am, two weeks and two days later, Gypsy came out on McBride Road about 1.5 miles from were I lost her.

From: "John Neal"
To: "John Neal"
Subject: Gypsy's Story
Created: 05/05/2008 13:30:02

Gypsy's Story

On Sunday 4/13/08 I was trail riding Gypsy, my 4-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare, on the trails of Cooper Black Jr. State Park in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Gypsy had done great on the trails all day, and we were on our way back to the club house riding on trail TT-16.

My friend wanted to ride Gypsy and try her out. I turned Gypsy over to him, and when he tried to mount her, the saddle slid to her side. He fell back and lost control. Gypsy stepped forward then trotted and then bolted. Like a flash she was gone. The saddle had slid right into her side flanks. We pursued Gypsy, but were unable to keep up with her.

I then began to search for her. I tried to track her, but her tacks soon met up with several other sets from other riders that had been in the park. I searched all afternoon and all night and into the next day for Gypsy. I had contacted the head ranger in the park, Mrs. Bonnie Louis, and she and her husband began to search immediately. Ranger Bonnie Louis was very helpful in the search for Gypsy, and she put the word out in the park to search for my mare. Ranger Louis and Mrs. Marchette organized several searches for Gypsy.

My friend that lost Gypsy was a big help, too, in the search. He rented a helicopter and searched the park from the sky. My friends and neighbors brought their horses out and searched. I put out flyers in all the local stores and post offices in the area, and the editor of the News and Press, Moray Thomas, put an ad in the paper. I also contacted Debi at Stolen horse International and her site was a big help and gave me hope that I would find Gypsy.

I thank all the people who e-mailed me and gave me very good advice on how to find Gypsy. I searched every afternoon for two weeks with out a sighting of her. I had seen a set of single tracks going into a pond not far from were I lost her and that gave me hope. I put feed out in areas were I thought she might be, and I shook her feed bag and called her name all over that 6000-acre reserve. I sent up a prayer every time I went out to search for her and every time I thought of her. I asked the Good Lord to send down an Angel, and keep Gypsy safe and to lead her home.

On Tuesday 4/29/08 at 4:30am, two weeks and two days later, Gypsy came out on McBride Road about 1.5 miles from were I lost her. She found her way down to Mr. Hinson's Farm. Mr. Hinson awoke to hear his dogs barking, and he got up and looked outside and saw a dark horse walking toward his house. He went out, and Gypsy walked right up to him. He knew right away it was my horse. Gypsy still had on the saddle and bridle.

The saddle was underneath her belly and the bit was still in her mouth. Mr. Hinson took Gypsy into a stall and took the saddle and bridle off and gave her water. Gypsy drank down 20 gallons of water before she stopped. Hinson called Ranger Bonnie Louis early Tuesday morning and told her the good news. Ranger Louis called me at work, and I left immediately and headed for the park. When I picked Gypsy up at Mr. Hinson's farm, she was very calm and glad to see me. I thanked Mr. Hinson for his help because he also spent several days searching for Gypsy.

She looked great for being out for two weeks and had no major injuries. She had lost some weight and she had two sores on her back where the girth had rubbed her raw, and her mouth was very sore. I put her feed in warm water and made her a warm mash to eat. When I brought Gypsy home, she had a great homecoming from my neighbor's three horses, and my kids' two ponies came running in to greet her. Gypsy is doing great and she is glad to be home.

I want to thank everyone who came out and searched, sent me e-mails and those who prayed for Gypsy's safe return. I thank my wife for her support and understanding while I was out searching for Gypsy, and I give thanks to God for answering my prayers.

Ty Neal