Hampton Mounted Patrol Unit: Tucker recovering after lifesaving emergency surgery

HAMPTON — When Kobblestone Farm owner Theresa Kirby noticed one of the Hampton Police Department’s Mounted Patrol horses was repeatedly rolling on his back, she knew something wasn’t right with Tucker.

Thanks to Kirby's good horse sense and quick action, the skill of veterinarians, and the financial support of the Friends of the Hampton Police Mounted Unit, Tucker’s story has a happy ending, instead of a sad one. The 14-year-old, Tennessee Walker gelding is recovering from emergency surgery at Myhre Equine Clinic, according to Tucker’s human partner, Hampton police patrolman Peter Moisakis.

“He’s off the IV, and he’s doing great,” Moisakis said Monday. “His recovery is going well. We’re hoping he’ll be back in his stall in Brentwood sometime this week.”

Yet, Moisakis, his Mounted Patrol colleague, retired Sgt. John Galvin, and the entire Police Department had some tense hours as Tucker’s worsening condition unfolded on Sunday, Aug. 6. Galvin got Kirby’s call that something was wrong Sunday morning. About 12 hours later, veterinary surgeon Grant Myhre was in the clinic’s operating room performing an emergency procedure that most likely saved Tucker’s life.

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Tucker undergoes emergency surgery

After eating breakfast, Tucker went out for a run with the rest of his equine stable mates at Kobblestone Farm as is his usual routine, Kirby said, but the horse returned early and alone, acting “weird.”

“He came back and was rolling on his back,” Kirby said. “He’d stay on his back. That’s not normal for horses. When he went into the shed, he again laid down and rolled on his back. I knew something was off.”

Kirby recognized Tucker was exhibiting signs of colic, which according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, means a horse is experiencing stomach pain caused by any number of things. But according to the ACVS, when a horse exhibits signs of colic, veterinary care should be forthcoming immediately, for “Delay in treatment can decrease the prognosis for survival.”

Kirby had Galvin on the phone at around 9 a.m., and they decided to call in a veterinarian from Candray Pet Care Center in Candia.

Dr. Matthew Cobbs visited Tucker at Kobblestone Farm that morning. By the time Cobbs left Tucker’s Brentwood stall, Moisakis was hopeful.

“It looked like he was doing better,” Galvin said. “But around 4 o’clock, we had to call the vet back.”

Tucker’s condition worsened, and by 6 or 7 o’clock, the veterinarian advised Galvin the horse needed more intense care.

“We trailered Tucker and took him to the Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester,” Galvin said. “The surgeon, Dr. Grant Myhre, called me a couple of hours later and said he felt we needed to operate right away. Mind you, it’s 9 o’clock Sunday night, but he performed the surgery.”

A veterinary surgeon for more than 40 years, Myhre said Tucker was suffering from a strangulated intestine caused by a fatty tumor. He said he was able to repair the damage without removing a section of the bowel and said Tucker’s prognosis is "very good."

The nonprofit organization, Friends of Hampton Mounted Patrol Unit, provides financial support for the horses, including covering health care for the animals. Medical treatment of any kind isn’t inexpensive, but when talking about a 1,000-pound patient, costs can mount up quickly.

However, when Friends President Kristen Russell got the call, she never hesitated.

“I told them to go ahead,” Russell said. “We’ll cover the bills. It’ll probably run about $20,000 by the time everything’s in.”

Friends Treasurer Bob Preston said the group has the money to pay the bills, but it’ll take a chunk out of the treasury.

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Mounted Patrol patrolling Hampton Beach since 1981

But Russell, Preston and the rest of the Friends Board as well as police officials, feel this is money well spent.

“Our Mounted Unit is a valuable tool in our law enforcement,” said Hampton police Capt. Anthony Azarian of the unit formed in 1981.

Along with being goodwill ambassadors with visitors and residents alike, a police officer on horseback has advantages those on foot or in cruisers don’t, he said. When it comes to locating lost children or finding anyone at the beach or in a crowded area, a mounted patrolman has a significant vantage point, Azarian said, as their elevated position gives a much better sight line.

Plus, according to both Moisakis and Galvin – who rides Tucker’s Tennessee Walker teammate Goliath – horses provide excellent service in crowd control.

And whether it’s buckskin-colored Tucker, or his taller, brown and white, 18-year-old buddy Goliath, there’s nothing like a horse to attract children, the men said. When together, it’s hard to tell which species is more pleased with the other, the humans or the horses.

“The horses love kids,” Galvin said. “They’re very good with children.”

Moisakis said even though Tucker can be a bit stubborn, at times, when walking a beat at Hampton Beach, the horse does a great job, especially when two-legged friends come to visit.

The two horses enjoy patrolling and just being together, Moisakis said, and when he visits Tucker at the clinic lately, he recognizes the patient is a bit lonely.

“Tucker and Goliath are really close,” Moisakis said. “We can tell Tucker is missing Goliath. That’s why we’re hoping Tucker will be discharged soon so he can go back to being with his friend.”

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Supporting Hampton’s Mounted Patrol Unit

Russell commended Kirby for being able to pick up on Tucker’s health problem as fast as she did. The quick action is the sign of a “well-run barn,” Russell said.

According to Russell, since about 2010, the organization has provided funding to keep the Mounted Unit going, buying, transporting and training new horses and officers, as well as all the extras, like regular and emergency medical care.

Supported through fundraising and donations, the Friends is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit, meaning all donations are tax-deductible.

Both Galvin and Moisakis extend their sincere gratitude to the Friends for its support over the years and during Tucker’s emergency.

“The Friends, residents and Hampton businesses have been very generous over the years,” Moisakis said. “We’d like to thank everyone for their support.”

Donations are accepted by mailing to Friends of Hampton Mounted Patrol, Inc, at 339 Ocean Boulevard, #404, Hampton, NH 03842.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Mounted Patrol Unit: Farm owner, vet saves horse Tucker