Marion horse recovering well after community rescue

Two weeks after spending hours submerged in frigid water, the American Quarter Horse rescued by the efforts of Marion firefighters and local community members is well on his way to a full recovery.

Henry was resting comfortably in a makeshift stall in the corner of owner Kim Hanson’s garage Monday morning, keeping himself warm by standing just feet away from the building’s wood stove while constantly eyeballing the door he knows leads to the pasture where he can stretch his legs.

“He’s doing much better, but he is still bored,” Hanson said. “He wants to go outside with the other horses. He loves to roll around and it makes him upset when he can’t do that.”

Other than his boredom, Henry’s recovery is going remarkably well, with the slight swelling of his front knees the only physical evidence of his harrowing ordeal. His kidneys have healed. Most of the swelling has gone away and Henry is once again able to lie down and get up on his own. The notorious chowhound is even back to filling his stomach with as much food as he can whenever possible. Looking at him, one would never know he was inches from death just 14 days ago.

No one is certain how many hours Henry spent submerged up to his neck in the near-freezing water, but the horse’s core temperature would not even register on the field thermometer used at the scene.

“That vet told me there wasn’t much hope, but I begged him not to give up on Henry. He’d never give up on me, so I wasn’t going to give up on him,” Hanson said. “I didn’t want him to suffer, but I just wasn’t ready to let him go.”

For anyone who has been around them, it is obvious the bond between Kim and Henry runs deep.

Hanson was first introduced to Henry in Arizona, after the horse was purchased by her husband’s son. When she first saw him, she couldn’t believe how much he looked like a horse she had owned while growing up and she knew she just had to have him. She expressed her interest, but was told Henry was “just too wild,” an uncontrollable horse that would surely injure her.

Not willing to take no for an answer, Hanson persuaded her husband’s son to make the sale and set to work training Henry. It took a year to build a bond of trust, but the effort was well worth it. After 15 years and countless barrel-racing and roping competitions, Hanson said Henry is the only horse she wants to ride in the arena.

The true test of their bond came a few years ago in Arizona when a man approached Hanson and offered her $25,000 for Henry after seeing the pair riding at a competition there. Hanson had thrown out the ridiculous number thinking the man would surely balk at that price, but he did not. Despite the generous offer, Hanson was unwilling to part with her partner.

These days, the horse once described as “too crazy” for Hanson is known for his gentle nature and is often trusted to give rides to and even “babysit” Hanson’s grandchildren. Despite his change in demeanor, Henry still has his mischievous side.

“If you ever do have to get after him, he may not pay you back right then and there, but he remembers,” Hanson said. “He is quite the character.”

When Hanson saw Henry struggling to keep his head above the water two weeks ago, she was terrified she was going to lose the horse she considers a family member, but the relentless efforts of numerous Marion firefighters and area residents accomplished the near impossible.

“I don’t even know how to thank everyone who has helped me with this horse. He’s not just my horse, he’s my partner,” she said. “He’s not just special to me, he’s special to everyone who knows him. He’s the best horse I’ve ever had.”

As Henry continues his recovery, Hanson said she is looking forward to the days ahead.

“An animal will always love you unconditionally. I cried for a week thanks to this guy. I’ve never cried that much or that hard in my life,”she said. “I know he is 20, but I hope to have him around for quite a few more years.”

Reporter Jeremy Weber may be reached at 758-4446 or jweber@dailyinterlake.com.