Teddy the pony on the mend after being hit by train

CATSKILL―Teddy, the miniature horse struck by a train near Catskill this week, is on the mend.

“His survival is a direct result of people acting with precision and care in a moment of crisis,” said Unbridled Sanctuary in a statement on Thursday.

The non-profit rescue facility in Greenville is where Teddy will continue to recover and live for the rest of his life after he is released from Rhinebeck Equine.

Teddy was one of two miniature horses that got loose from their home in West Camp sometime Tuesday night. Early Wednesday morning, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about a brown and white pony on the train tracks just south of the Village of Catskill. He had been hit by a train.

Sheriff Peter Kusminsky said that the train stopped after crews realized that they had struck the pony and authorities were notified.

According to sheriff’s office, Teddy sustained severe injuries and was taken to Rhinebeck Equine where he is receiving extensive medical attention.

“He has a small vertebral fracture and a rib fracture. He has a massive laceration to his left hindquarter from the blunt force impact of the train,” according to Unbridled Sanctuary.

Teddy is expected to be hospitalized for at least two weeks and will require several months of post-hospital care at the sanctuary.

Unbridled Sanctuary Founder Susan Kayne and her team were among those who responded to the tracks around 5 a.m. and credited teamwork as the reason Teddy is alive.

“The CSX Transportation engineer who called in the strike; the sergeant and deputies from the Greene County Sheriff's Office who were first on scene—stabilizing Teddy, stopping rail traffic, and moving him to safety; and the veterinary team at Rhinebeck Equine, who had an emergency receiving stall and trauma team prepared for his arrival,” Unbridled stated.

“Teddy had lost a significant amount of blood and was in shock when he reached them—he would not have survived without this level of coordination and care. We can never thank each member of these teams enough—their skill, steadiness, and commitment in that moment made all the difference,” the sanctuary stated.

Kusminsky said Teddy’s owners have voluntarily released him to Unbridled Sanctuary that provides rehabilitation, retraining, selective rehoming and, oftentimes, a permanent home to horses, donkeys and mules.

Teddy's emergency veterinary care will be between $7,500 and $10,000, Unbridled reported.

Anyone who would like to help support Teddy’s medical needs can do so by visiting https://giving.unbridledsanctuary.org/page/Teddy. As of Thursday night, more than $6,000 has already been raised.