BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An unusual sight greeted drivers on M-6 south of Grand Rapids Wednesday morning as 11 horses were spotted running loose along the highway.
The horses were first seen around 7:30 a.m. near Byron Center Avenue, and by 8:45 a.m., authorities confirmed that all the horses had been safely contained. Michigan State Police (MSP) reported that the horses had scattered as far as the Kalamazoo Avenue ramp. Fortunately, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office was able to contain them without any further incident.
The horses had escaped from Serenity Farm, located near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and 76th Street in Byron Township. Some of the animals were residents of the farm, while others were boarded there. In response to the escape, the farm has promised to take additional precautions to ensure the horses remain safely enclosed in the future.
MSP troopers were among the first to respond to the scene. In the process of corralling the horses, one trooper, Travis Hop, took a special interest in a particular horse, which he affectionately named “Durango.” Hop, who was not equipped for horse wrangling, used a dog leash—borrowed from a local helper—to keep the horse safe.
“It’s interesting because we’re not necessarily set up for wrangling horses in the state police,” Hop said. “The horse was wet and cold, but extremely friendly and well-mannered.”
Durango’s real name turned out to be Howard, and his owner, Fern Hanlon, was soon alerted to the situation. She quickly rushed to Serenity Farm to check on her horse. Despite initial concerns over what appeared to be an injury in one of the photos, Hanlon confirmed that Howard was unharmed. The lighting had caused a reflection, giving the impression of a cut.
While the morning was unexpected for local authorities, it left behind lasting memories. “This is one of those fun things,” said Sergeant Scott Dietrich of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s something you don’t expect, but it’s something you’re not going to forget for a long time.”
For Hanlon, the experience brought some lightheartedness. She even decided to embrace the trooper-given nickname, announcing that Durango would now be Howard’s official middle name.
Authorities have reassured the community that Serenity Farm is implementing additional measures to ensure no further escapes occur, but the day’s events are sure to remain a memorable one for everyone involved.
