This is the story of how 21 stock ties, a pediatric surgeon, and multiple Millbrook Hunt members saved the life of “Dessie” while hunting in the New York woods this past October.

Saturday’s hunt (October 18, 2025) involved some heroic collaboration to save the life of a great horse.

While out with the Millbrook Hunt, Jackie Bachor’s horse “Dessie” took an unlucky step that resulted in him having a large stick stuck in his groin area. When he moved off the stick, he began bleeding profusely. While Dr. Miranda Gosselin was on her way to meet them in the field, fellow foxhunter June Wu (a pediatric surgeon!) was able to pinch off the arterial vessel in Dessie’s groin for 45 minutes. Erica Rose was tremendous in holding Dessie through what could not have been a comfortable time for him. Jacqueline Thorne was able to ride her horse up and down the trail to guide Dr. Gosselin to where Dessie was held and helped Krissy Smith get Jackie’s horse trailer as close to him as possible.

Dr. Gosselin was able to further stabilize Dessie to get him safely to Rhinebeck Equine, and Krissy Smith and Jo Blackmore walked horses alongside Dessie to help support him to get to the trailer.

All told, there were 21 stock ties, a pair of gloves, and a vest that ended up completely soaked in blood in a bucket. Dessie is a lucky guy to have had so many quick-thinking and fast-acting folks ready to help him through this emergency.

Dessie is doing great following a massive loss of blood. He was hospitalized at Rhinebeck Equine for a few days where the priority was to keep him stable, but he was lucky enough not to need surgery! He is now happily back home doing lots of hand grazing. He does think stall rest is a bit silly, and Jackie reports that he is petitioning for more turnout time!