After a night in deep floodwater, Troy is back in his barn.
The 20-year-old Pony of the Americas returned Wednesday to a barn outside Marengo, Illinois, after spending nearly 12 hours trapped in floodwaters and days recovering at Kendall Road Equine Hospital, the Northwest Herald reported.
Floodwaters swept Troy away on Friday night, and rescuers worked into Saturday to bring him out, according to the newspaper.
More than 40 people took part in the rescue, including local fire crews and veterinarian Nicky Wessel, the Northwest Herald said.
Heavy rain turned Boone Creek, normally a few feet deep, into water about 15 feet deep. Firefighters found Troy standing chest-high in the water, several hundred feet from where the creek normally runs.
Rescuers had no way to walk Troy out, so the operation stretched on for nearly 12 hours.
Farmhand Trent Hinkle first spotted Troy in the floodwaters. Once rescuers realized the pony could not get out on his own, emergency crews were called in.
Ashley Beaulieu, Troy’s owner’s daughter, told the Northwest Herald that Hinkle saw the pony trying to get himself out of the water. He realized Troy needed help and called 911.
Troy’s return home ended with an embrace from his owner as he stepped off the trailer.
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