Wayne's Automotive Center has a unique tow

The cold weather can bring a plethora of problems, and sleeping the wrong way can add to that dilemma. And for Cabot Trail, an 1,800 pound draft horse, the chilly temperatures made sleeping a bit awkward on the morning of Jan. 17.

"They said that particular Saturday, was the coldest temperature in 30 years, and he had a blanket on," said Pixie Baxter, Cabot Trail's owner. "And even though he spends some of the night laying down, apparently on this particular night he curled up like a cat with his legs tucked under him, and went down. By the time I got down here to feed him in the morning his rear right leg was unable to move."

A concerned community rallied to help the 25 year old gentle giant. A number of variables were more than likely part of the equation, frigid temperatures and the fact that his rear right limb was on the cold ground, in addition to the weight being placed on the leg created a condition similar to a person's leg going to sleep, said Baxter.

"Draft horses aren't built to be able to pop up and jump with their hindquarters like the more slender boned animals," said Baxter, who has owned Cabot Trail for the past three and a half years. "He couldn't get up, he couldn't move his leg, and with the leg not being able to move, he couldn't right himself."

Carolina Equine Clinic's Dr. Lisa Handy came out and administered anti-inflammatories and some pain medicines, and tried to buy him a little bit of time, in the event they were dealing with a stroke or another serious medical condition, said Baxter.

"We were desperate to know if we were dealing with a stroke, and if there would be an inevitable fatal outcome, or if it was something that time and patience could solve," she said.

When it became apparent that the medication wasn't going to remedy the situation, a call was placed to Jeff Wilson, Aiken Department of Public Safety's animal control officer, and he arrived on the scene with more than 10 volunteers carrying protective gear, trucks and police cars, who came to assist Cabot Trail in his attempt to stand upright.

The intrepid group braved the cold temperatures, and through their attempts discovered that their mechanism (the large animal rescue team's equipment), for working with animals could not support an 1,800 pound horse, said Baxter.

A timely call was placed to Jeff Corbett and Billy Hicks of Wayne's Automotive Center, they responded after learning about Cabot Trail's fate, with a tow truck, and the Aiken Department of Public Safety worked diligently and with great care sliding what Baxter described as a sling apparatus around each of his legs, neck, and around the horse's girth. They were able to get the big draft into a harness made of nylon webbing. Cabot Trail was also fitted with protective head gear, in the event he began to throw his head, to prevent an injury to his head, or minimize an injury to members of the rescue team.

Baxter arrived at 7 a.m. to feed the former Minneapolis street horse (who had been rescued by Dr. Gene Beaulieu), and the ordeal was over by 12:15 p.m. The crew from Wayne's Automotive responded to the scene of the incident at 10:10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

"The lift came up with the giant boom, and lifted him above the ground, so his legs could be righted," said Baxter. "Then they left him there with the boom of the tow truck supporting his weight."

When it appeared feeling came back into his leg, Cabot Trail was lowered, and he was given some hay, and his harness and blanket were removed, and he started back toward his normal routine, said Baxter. Cabot Trail has returned to being happy and healthy. Baxter is thankful to the community that banded together to save her horse.

"Once he righted himself, they left him in the sling for about ten minutes, they wanted to make sure he could support his own weight, he could in fact from the beginning, and then when he was on his own feet, he walked off," said Baxter. "I was so impressed with the team that was working together, from my mother, to the owner of the property, the men and women who working to help Cabot Trail, and I was even impressed with Cabot Trail himself. The diesel truck was idling six inches from his hooves. There are not that many horses who are smart enough to say, 'Let's just lay there and be happy.' He couldn't have been a more cooperative patient. He's the world's most perfect horse."