Horses Recover After Major Wreck in Florida

Newsdate: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 - 09:02 am
Location: FREEPORT, Florida

Two horses that survived a major wreck on Interstate 10 on April 13, have been nursed back to health at Alaqua Animal Refuge.

The crash happened when a tire blew out on the trailer being hauled by Joi Rodriguez, a 58-year-old resident of Norman, Okla. She was headed westbound when her pickup truck and the trailer struck a concrete culvert and overturned.

Nearly a month has passed since the two horses, Utah and GQ, both hunter jumpers, were taken to Alaqua with traumatic injuries. Utah and GQ were the only survivors of the wreck that killed three polo ponies and one warmblood,

Rodriguez is still in the hospital. Some of her friends visited Alaqua on Sunday and told Hood she soon could return to Oklahoma for rehabilitation.

GQ, who belongs to Rodriguez, might eventually be able to return to jumping, but most likely Utah will never be able to jump again.

In the past month, dozens of people have helped care for the two horses.

About the Author

Flossie Sellers

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As an animal lover since childhood, Flossie was delighted when Mark, the CEO and developer of EquiMed asked her to join his team of contributors.

She enrolled in My Horse University at Michigan State and completed a number of courses in everything related to horse health, nutrition, diseases and conditions, medications, hoof and dental care, barn safety, and first aid.

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in horse care and equine health is now a habit, and she enjoys sharing a wealth of information with horse owners everywhere.

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