Members of the Missouri Emergency Response Service – Large Animal Rescue (MERS) successfully rescued two elderly horses in Franklin County over the weekend. On Saturday morning in Union, a 31-year-old horse that had broken through a fence was unable to stand despite initial efforts using lifting straps and a tractor. After moving the horse closer to a barn and trying again with the help of the owners, the horse was able to stand and was then given IV fluids and further care by a veterinarian.

The following day in St. Clair, MERS responded to a call about a 30-year-old horse named Ransom that had fallen near a metal building after running through a fence. Rescuers used lifting equipment to reposition and help Ransom stand on safer footing. After regaining balance, the horse was assessed by a vet and found to have minor injuries but was stable. Across both rescues, MERS volunteers traveled a total of 51 miles to provide emergency assistance.