Twenty-two of the equine victims that survived a crash in eastern Missouri last month are recovering at the Humane Society of Missouri’s (HSMO) Longmeadow Rescue Ranch near Union. Three others are being nursed at area veterinary hospitals. Seventeen horses died or were euthanatized in the immediate aftermath of the accident, and one mare was euthanatized last week when her condition deteriorated. Society officials have said they are optimistic about gaining custody of the animals.

The truck that was hauling the 42 slaughter-bound animals overturned early Sept. 27 on Interstate 44 in Franklin County, Mo. Teams of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and rescue volunteers worked for several hours to remove the animals from the trailer and stabilize them.

The HSMO has been working to obtain custody of the 24 horses and a hinny from the horse owner’s insurance company. Jeane Jae, HSMO’s director of communications, told The Horse she hoped to be able to announce a custody arrangement by the end of this week.

“This was just a horse lover’s worst nightmare,” said Jae, “but we’re just extremely gratified by the support, by the coming together of all the rescue groups (two other emergency rescue groups dispatched volunteers to the scene). There was just no hesitation. Some of these are very nice horses that will be highly adoptable (after rehabilitation). We’re really looking forward to working with these horses and making them available for adoption