10/22/2025
What an absolutely stressful and crazy day at R Double J Ranch! Dealing with a horse that decided to take an unexpected dip in the pond. It was definitely a heart-stopper. How it happened....... I, Brigitte stop into the barn to check on things and make sure all the herd is accounted for like many of us here at the barn do frequently. I came inside the barn and was talking to the ladies doing morning chores and heard a horse calling out - odd but it sometimes happens. However, this call repeated itself, and I just knew something was up...... Kim, Denise and I started to walk outside to see who was calling. It was coming from the mares pastures. Ebay was pacing and calling.... there are supposed to be 4 heads in that pasture and I could only acount for 3...... where's Icy .... Ebay's best friend?? ??? As I looked out I could see the tips of Icy's ears in the pond. Kim quickly grabbed the halter from my hand and went in the pond to see of she could coax her out. Unfortunately the muck was sucking her and Icy deeper . Kim being a retired 911 dispatcher quickly said to call fire department to have them come assit us with this situation. By the grace of God and good timing a veterinarian and her assistants were heading to our neighbor's barn for routine fall shots. I looked up and noticed Abby and told her to get her ass over here - that we needed her help. Without hesitation she jumped in the water. The McHenry Township Fire Protection District department arrived and I was able to get in contact with Cynthia from @ Hooved Animal Humane Society (HAHS), a rescue group that could help talk the fire department through what needed to be done with their equipment. (She has hosted large animal rescues at her facility before) Icy was able to get herself unstuck and swim to a little less mucky area.... Kim and Stefani (our neighbor) jumped in our little paddle boat and herded her towards the shoreline where the fire department was suited up to enter the water. They attached a teather and rope around her as Bennett came over with his skidsteer to help lift her out of the water. With the guidance of the vet, the equipment from the fire department and the bravery from everyone in the situation, Icy was safely pulled from the pond. The Veterinary Clinic examined her and took xrays to make sure nothing was broken, which thankfully Icy just had a couple superficial scrapes. Icy and Ebay were reunited in the warm dry indoor area and are resting comfortably. The real hero of the day is Ebay for letting us know something wasn't right . A special thanks to everyone that stepped up and stepped in to help out. We are very grateful for the out pouring of love and support. A few things to take away from this long winded post....... the grass may not always be greener on the other side of the fence, neighbors help neighbors, and when a friend is in trouble scream at the top of your lungs - someone's gonna listen.
It truly was a tremendous community effort to ensure her safety.
We had all the right people at the right time:
The alert pasture mate raising the alarm.
Quick action from our neighbors.
The incredible timing of the vets passing by.
The professional assistance of the fire department.
What a relief that she is uninjured and resting comfortably in her stall! It just goes to show how strong the bond is between pasture mates, and how invaluable a strong community is in ranch life.
Hopefully, that's the last swimming lesson she takes for a very long time! Kim and I have been very passionate about hosting a first responders clinic for large animal rescue at "R" barn and have not been able to set it up .... today proved that come hell or high water our intention is to make it happen. Again thanks to everyone that made this situation have a great outcome.
Timing after checking video footage.... she was in pasture eating at 12:36pm and Kim and I were in pasture calling 911 at approximately 12:45pm.
4pm Icy's regular vet Northern Lakes Equine Practice came by to check her well being too.
