Horse Search and Rescue in NC Mountains

MOCKSVILLE, NC Friday, October 19, 2012 - “There’s not much I don’t like about her, but if I had to pick something it would be her strong desire to move her feet a lot,” said Marilyn Colvin, owner of the thirteen-year-old Jasmine, a palomino Tennessee Walking horse. Colvin lives in Mocksville, NC. On Aug 18, Jasmine disappeared between Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Park which led to an all-out horse search and rescue operation.

Colvin has owned and ridden Jasmine for almost five years and enjoys trail riding with friends all over North Carolina. On one such excursion, Colvin and her friend, Gail, were out riding close to Pilot Mountain on the Sauratown Trail. On the last section of the trail, “Gail’s horse stepped back into a hole and slipped; they both fell over backwards,” Colvin said. Colvin immediately stepped off of Jasmine to help her friend escape from underneath her horse. “There was no immediate place to tie Jasmine; so I let her stand there,” said Colvin.

After finally rescuing Gail and her horse, Colvin turned around to realize Jasmine was gone. “Gail and I just walked down the trail to look for her. “I never dreamed in a million years that it would take six weeks to find her!” said Colvin.

When they arrived back to the parking lot without finding any traces of Jasmine; Colvin urgently began to spread the word that her horse was missing and the surrounding community immediately joined in on a widespread search for the missing horse.

“Thanks to NetPosse* and Facebook, many people found out about what happened and went up there by foot, car, and horseback to look for her,” said Colvin. We also posted lost horse signs everywhere. Gail and I camped out with Jasmine’s pasture mate who whinnied to her but she didn’t respond. Other riders camped out on the trail as well. We posted a reward. We had tracking dogs, two plane fly overs, and infra-red camera, even a helicopter for three and half - hours to look for her. Needless to say, Jasmine had many people working and hoping to bring her home.

As the days went on and the relentless searches turned up nothing, Marilyn worried for Jasmine’s safety and feared that “she might have got caught on something and couldn’t break free.” She was living every horse owner’s worst nightmare.

Finally, after a grueling 6 weeks of being lost in the mountains of North Carolina, “a local resident, Beverly Jarrell, spotted her in a field near Camp Sertoma on her way to work and called me right away,” said Colvin. She immediately contacted a friend who lived near Camp Sertoma and asked him to pick Jasmine up while she made the drive up from Mocksville. He put her in the Camp Sertoma barn, took off the saddle and the bridle she was still wearing after six weeks and waited for me,” said Colvin.

When Colvin finally arrived to pick up her long-lost horse, “Jasmine looked very thin, she had sores from the girth rubbing on her back (the saddle had rolled under her belly) and she looked really scared,” said Colvin. Jasmine finally calmed down after being reunited with her pasture mates, “You could tell she was relieved to be home again,” said Colvin. Jasmine was treated by a vet and her sores are healing nicely.

After such a traumatic and stressful experience, Colvin offers some wise advice to other riders who may find themselves in a similar situation. “Always secure your horse and wait around in the area where you lost your horse for as long as you can.” Colvin said.

With a lot of luck and constant community support, Jasmine was lucky enough to be returned to her concerned owner. “I’m so grateful for everything everyone has done to help me find my wonderful horse. I hope to get the opportunity to help someone else in need and be as generous to them as everyone has been with me. Thank you!” said Colvin.

*NetPosse a division of Stolen Horse International, Inc. is every equestrian’s resource. They not only provide valuable information and assistance in recovering a lost or stolen horse, but also take on a major role in educating the public on equine theft and loss prevention. For more info go to www.netposse.com.

RESOURCE: Carolina Hoofbeats Magazine, By: Cody Jeffrey, http://www.carolinahoofbeats.com/