Re: Horse attacked by turtle

["Laura Hayes" <mark@madbbs.com>]

I had the same thing happen!!  The turtle that grabbed my horse's nose was
only about 8 inches across, and held on for wuite some time while the horse
reared and pawed!!  Too funny!!

Laura Hayes

----- Original Message -----
From: "Julie Coats" <Julie_Coats@ncsu.edu>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 10:56 AM
Subject: RC: Horse attacked by turtle


> Just had to pass this story on, maybe will bring a laugh.
> It caused me to laugh once it was all over.
>
> Was watching my horses in the pasture yesterday morning
> and noticed my little arab, Phaxxton, was acting funny. Looking
> at something, head bobbing, pawing. (I thought maybe he is colicy)
> Went out to investigate and of course had to take my two shelties
> with me. As I got closer I thought he had killed a small critter that had
> got in the way, but at second glance it was a huge snapping turtle,and
> he was mad. As soon as the dogs saw him they started in on the herding
> thing, barking, snapping at him, circling him. That brought all the other
> horses over to investigate. I am trying to get this turtle out of the
field
> before
> someone gets hurt but he is so big I can't budge him. I call the dogs off
and
> was going back to the house to get the husband to remove him but before
> I could turn my back Phax stuck his nose down  and that turtle leapt at
> him, grabbed him by the muzzle and Phax reared up with a turtle stuck to
> his face. Took off at a gallop and that turtle hung on, finally I think
> Phax's nose ripped and the turtle fell to the ground. I was so mad at
> that point, I picked up the turtle by his tail and slung him out of the
> pasture. (amazing how strong you can be at moments) Went into the house
> told my hubby to go out and shoot a turtle that had just ripped my horses
> face off. He thought I was insane. I grabbed my medical supplies and went
> outside to clean up the damage on my pitiful horse. I think Phax was more
> embarrassed that the other horses had witnessed this episode than he was
> hurt. Cleaned him up and luckily it was just a superficial tear on his
muzzle.
> Went back in the house and wanted to know if the husband had killed the
turtle
> yet. No he let him go into the lower pond because he thought I was
kidding!
> I wasn't...but to late now. I will have be watching for him in the spring
> when he
> treks back though the horse pasture to the upper pond.
>
> Warning: Beware of those turtles.
>
> Julie R.Coats, A.H.T.
> NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine
>
>
>
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