A horse that has gained international attention after falling from a moving trailer onto Interstate 75 in heavy traffic is recuperating well following an emergency surgery this past Friday.
The horse, known as Teddy Bear Highway, was rushed into surgery after his injured knee quickly became very painful and hot. Veterinary surgeons at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala removed about five inches of the extensor tendon that runs down Highway’s leg in front of the injured knee because it was too damaged and infected to heal. And they also found small pieces of gravel deep inside the injury.
On Saturday afternoon, officials from the Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry reported on Facebook that they had changed Highway’s bandage and a drain that was inserted in his leg looked good.
“He is in good spirits and they are reducing his pain meds,” the post reads.
As with Highway’s previous surgery, veterinarians warn, the next 10 days will be a critical period for the horse that has captured the hearts of those around the globe and everyone caring for him.
“We need the wound to heal with no infection and for him to remain comfortable,” the Facebook post reads. “Highway sends his love and thanks to all of you. Keep the good thoughts coming. As we have seen already, it really is a day-by-day process.”
Highway was rescued by Alachua County sheriff’s deputies from I-75 near Micanopy in the early morning hours of Nov. 30. He was transported to the Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic and then underwent knee surgery at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, where he also was treated for road rash, bruises, etc.
Vets caring for Highway made it known that the gentle horse was facing a long road to recovery. And things were going pretty well until this past Wednesday night when his knee became an issue again.
After Highway was rescued, an extensive investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Rural Services Unit determined that he had, in fact, fallen from a moving trailer in the dark of night. An alert truck driver spotted the open gate on the horse trailer that was being transported on I-75 and got the driver’s attention. But by the time he stopped, “Highway” was gone, having already fallen onto the roadway.
In an odd twist of fate, sheriff’s officials were quite shocked to find out that Highway, who appeared to have been well cared for prior to his injuries, had been given to the trailer driver and was going to be euthanized.
“But Highway had different plans, and so do we,” the sheriff’s office posted on its Facebook page earlier this month.
A fundraiser to help pay for Highway’s care has been set up by the DreamCatcher Horse Ranch Rescue, a non-profit charity. As of late Sunday afternoon, $3,713 of a $5,000 goal had been reached through donations from 95 people in just three days. Click HERE to go that Facebook page and make a donation.
DreamCatcher’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and educate. The group strives to rehabilitate each equine with their own individually required vet care, farrier care and nutritional needs. And its members provide a safe shelter, personal attention and unconditional love to help heal the animals from their traumatic pasts.
