Spooked Horses Dump Riders: One Returns, One Missing

May 5, 2008

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- A horse becoming spooked is not terribly unusual, however, this weekend brought two separate cases of riders being thrown off their mounts, which are of merit.

The first incident happened on Friday in New York City as NYPD mounted-patrol horse Aldo, was returning from patrol with Officer Martin Brown.

The partners were about eight blocks from the stable when a traffic noise spooked the eight-year old equine. He threw the 21-year police veteran in fright, but returned directly to the stable.

New York police spokesman Paul Browne says the horse “knows his turf,” in an Associated Press interview.

Aldo, who has been serving as a police horse for about a year, suffered a few small cuts, while his rider injured his neck and shoulder.

The second incident occurred in Florida on Saturday. Antz was being walked in Malabar when a driver passed by, throttling the engine. The 6-year-old grey thoroughbred threw his rider, Doug Hanna, “about five feet in the air and stepped on my hip in the process,” he told Local6.com.

Although Hanna dusted himself off to run after his loose horse, Antz has been missing since. Hanna last saw Antz walking toward Weber Road in Melabar and is concerned he might walk along the highway, endangering himself, pedestrians and drivers.

“But he has a very strong will,” Hanna said of the horse’s survival aptitude.

Anzt was rescued by Hanna a year ago from Horse Protection Association in Mucanopy, a small town near Gainesville, Fla. Antz had been neglected and nearly starved by previous owners.

Hanna hopes he has the chance to come to Antz’s aid a second time.

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The Associated Press and Local6.com contributed to this article