A 15-year-old horse named Sue disappeared into one of Yellowstone National Park's most remote corners while still wearing his full saddle and bridle — then he turned up a week later, just half a mile from where he bolted.
Here's what to know
According to Cowboy State Daily, the palomino gelding went missing on Oct. 9 during a packing trip near Yellowstone's Bechler Ranger Station in the park's southwest corner, and he was later located near Dunanda Falls, roughly half a mile from where he ran off.
Morgan D'Ambra, who coordinated the search effort, said her sister Paige Chavez became separated from the group after Sue slipped and fell, briefly trapping Chavez underneath him.
Chavez was not seriously hurt, but she lost her glasses in the fall and could not see Sue when he got up and ran into the backcountry. The family searched for about an hour on Oct. 9 before darkness forced them to stop.
More background
The disappearance was especially concerning because Sue was still fully tacked. D'Ambra said the saddle, bridle, and reins could have made it harder for him to graze, find shelter, or avoid getting caught on a tree.
Even so, she wasn't especially worried about whether Sue could survive in that terrain. He knew the area, and the country around Dunanda Falls had both water and grass available.
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Because Paige's cellphone was still in the saddle when Sue bolted, he also carried off what may have been the group's best chance to trace his location, if the phone could be reached.
On Oct. 16, Sue was found with no obvious injuries and still fully saddled.
"My sister and brother-in-law were crossing water on foot, and when she walked up the bank, Sue was looking at her not far away," D'Ambra said, according to Cowboy State Daily.
What's being done?
Sue's recovery came after a sustained search led by family and friends.
D'Ambra said the group rode back into the area on Oct. 10, then sent friends out again on Oct. 11 while she drove service roads, checked hunting camps, and stopped people she encountered to ask whether they had seen the horse.
D'Ambra also contacted Verizon in hopes the company could ping the cellphone still packed in Sue's saddle and provide an approximate location. Cowboy State Daily reported that Verizon refused the request.
The family also expanded the search into a broad local alert. Chavez said everyone entering the Bechler region was told Sue was missing and could be recovered.
By about 2 p.m. on Friday, the family had safely recovered Sue.
"My sister Paige is finally reunited with Sue," D'Ambra said, per Cowboy State Daily. "He's very happy to be home."
Back at the ranch, Sue made his priorities clear.
"He literally ran out of the trailer when we got back to our pasture," D'Ambra said. "He couldn't wait to be back with his brothers."
"I could go on and on, but I want to thank everyone for dealing with my crazy ass all week and being supportive," Chavez said. "I know it wasn't easy, but Sue is ready to be home to boss his brothers around."
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