Passion for Pearl & East Kingston, NH drove the chef during ‘Rescue’

If not for the passion of East Kingston Fire Chief Edward Warren, righting a fallen horse on Wednesday might have had a much different outcome.

Warren’s department responded around 5:15 p.m. after Pearl, a 1,900-pound workhorse, fell after losing his footing in melting ice and mud at Hidden Hollow Farm in Kingston. More than 50 people showed up at the farm after Shawna Merritt, whose mother owns Pearl, appealed for help via Facebook. But it was Warren and his team who did the work.

Pearl, who was rescued from Amish country in June, was lying in the ice and it was feared hypothermia was setting in. But Warren saw the fight in Pearl as she struggled to stand but got tired instead.

“Pets are like family, and you could see on the owner’s face how much it meant to her. Also, there were passers-by standing there, and everyone was scared of them. wanting to put the horse down and I told him that was not an option,” Warren told Seacoast Current.

“This horse was fighting to stay alive so I was going to help him do just that no matter what it takes,” Warren said.

Assess the situation

Warren said the first task was to figure out what resources he should work with, which included the arrival of Patriot Equine Rescue from Topsfield and his own department. The next task was to keep calm from those who came forward to help.

“You better keep it as calm as possible, not only for the horse, but if you’re out of control and you’re hyper, then the owner is going to be hyper and you’re going to make everything worse,” Warren said. . “If you don’t everyone will start wanting to do their own thing and I didn’t want to risk hurting the horse.”

He was aware of Pearl’s history as a workhorse and shares the Merritt family’s wish to give him the best possible life under their care.

“I wasn’t going to let the end be because she slipped and fell. I slip and fall, I don’t want anyone to leave me there,” Warren said.

Passionate about animals and his city

Warren said he is a dog owner and understands the love and passion people have for their pets.

Warren also has a love for the town of East Kingston, where he has been a chief since 2010 and in emergency services since 1982.

“I’m very passionate about animals in general and I’m even more passionate about the city and the people I serve. I never ask where someone’s address is from. If they’re in my city, they deserve 110% of my effort or I shouldn’t have the job,” Warren said.

Merritt and Warren visited Pearl on Saturday morning and both said she continued to be in good health after her ordeal.

“She’s doing great,” Warren said.

Contact journalist Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH