Miniature pony struck by train back in owner’s custody

CATSKILL―A miniature pony named Teddy is continuing to recover after being struck by a train near Catskill last month. But the three-year-old stallion won’t be headed to Unbridled Sanctuary in Greenville as originally planned.

His owner, John Monahan of West Camp, filed a lawsuit in Supreme Court in Ulster County claiming the non-profit equine rescue “illegally took possession of the pony.” It is an accusation that Unbridled Sanctuary Founder Susan Kayne said Tuesday is an absolute lie.

Early on the morning of April 8, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about a brown and white pony on the railroad tracks just south of the Village of Catskill. He had been hit by a train.

Teddy, as the pony was later identified and whose full name is Teddy Roosevelt, was one of two miniature ponies that had gotten loose from their enclosure after a bear reportedly damaged the fence during the night.

Deputies tended to the injured pony while efforts were made to find his owner. Meanwhile, Kayne and her team were contacted by the sheriff’s office and responded to the tracks with a trailer around 5:15 a.m.

Monahan, in his complaint filed on April 17, says he was awoken to learn of the accident and immediately responded to the scene.

According to the lawsuit, “Upon assessing the situation, [Monahan] agreed the horse needed immediate veterinary care and was going to get his trailer when he was told that the horse would not make it by defendant, Susan Kayne. When [Monahan] requested defendant take the horse on the trailer present at the scene, defendant Susan Kayne stated [Monahan] needed to relinquish ownership of the horse to which defendant refused.”

Kayne maintains that she never told Monahan he had to turn over custody of Teddy and said that he and an employee arrived on scene without a trailer for the pony who was in critical condition.

“We were not sure if the pony was going to live. It was touch and go,” said Kayne, noting that Teddy had lost a significant amount of blood and was going into shock.

According to Kayne, and statements by deputies on scene, Monahan suggested shooting the pony.

Deputies’ bodycam footage also shows Monahan verbally agreeing to let Kayne transport Teddy, despite calling the decision a “bum-rush.”

Teddy was transported by Kayne and her team to Rhinebeck Equine, the nearest trauma center for horses, where he was found to have a small vertebral fracture and a rib fracture, as well as a massive laceration to his left hindquarter from the blunt force impact of the train.

Kayne said when they arrived at Rhinebeck Equine she put down a $3,000 deposit and, through Unbridled’s Emergency Care Fund, collected about $8,000 in donations toward his vet bills that now total more than $23,000.

But a few days after the accident, Kayne said she received a call from Monahan saying he wanted to keep Teddy and that she was agreeable.

“I had no judgement. It was a horrific scene and a quick decision,” said Kayne, adding that Teddy showed no signs of prior neglect and appeared to have been well cared for.

In his lawsuit, Monahan described Teddy as a “cherished member of the neighborhood.” He claimed that Unbridled “converted the pony for their own use, benefit, and profit.”

“As a sanctuary with 65 horses, the last thing I need is another one. We take in horses that have no home and this one did. I was fine either way as long as the pony had a chance to heal and they were aware of the care he needed,” said Kayne.

Since Unbridled Sanctuary is a non-profit organization and money had been raised for Teddy, Kayne said she requested a few days to speak with her board of directors. Then the lawsuit came, she said.

“It was unconscionable,” said Kayne, adding that “no good deed goes unpunished.”  

Named as defendants are Kayne and her husband Andrew Elsbree, Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation, Unbridled Racing Stable LLC, and Rhinebeck Equine LLP.

Represented by attorney Ann Weaver of Red Hook, Monahan asked the court to declare him as Teddy’s legal owner. Weaver did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Since then, Kayne said an agreement was reached and that Teddy has been turned back over to Monahan who will be responsible for his veterinary bills.

Monahan’s neighbor, Melissa Wright, established a GoFundMe page for Teddy last week that had raised $1,050 as of Tuesday night.

“Teddy requires extensive veterinary care, including surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatments to manage his pain and support his recovery. In addition to the immediate medical expenses, there will be continued costs for supplies and follow-up care to ensure Teddy has the best chance at a full and happy life,” wrote Wright, who described Teddy as “a cherished companion who brings joy to everyone who knows him.”

As for those who donated through Unbridled’s Emergency Veterinary Care Fund, Kayne sent out an email giving them the choice of a full refund or allowing the money to be applied to help the next horse in need of immediate care.

Kayne, who obtained a copy of the deputies’ body camera footage from the scene of the accident, said she plans to put the videos out on YouTube.

“What is so damning is that it ever got to this point,” said Kayne, who still called the situation “an incredibly wonderful rescue story.”

Teddy would not have survived had it not been for Rhinebeck Equine and deputies at the scene, she said.

“The deputies were phenomenal,” Kayne said. “They handled Teddy beautifully and are the reason he was able to be transported.”