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After nearly a month, still no sign of missing horse

Linda Zitzner with Thunder, an Arabian horse owned by Peggy Waters that bolted Sept. 12 and is missing in the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

WHITEWATER -- Its been more than three weeks since Thunder, an 8-year-old Arabian gelding, was last seen by his owner, Peggy Waters.

Since then, the Orfordville woman has had little luck in tracking him down.

Waters said the horse that bolted Sept. 13 while riding in the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Palmyra.

Searchers have covered most of the forest between Palmyra and Eagle, and the search has now expanded to the trails and areas between Palmyra and Whitewater.

"We've been up in the air with local pilots," Waters said. "At this point, I don't think he's loose anymore."

One possibility is that someone found the horse, thought it was abandoned, and is now caring for it.

The Arabian horse is valuable, but without its papers would be difficult to sell, Waters said. Some of her friends have discussed collecting donations for a reward.

Waters has owned horses for 40 years, and says other riders have been supportive. Some search for Thunder on their regular rides. Others look for the horse while hiking.

"I've even heard from mountain bikers. Everyone's been great," she said, which is what makes the disappearance all the more perplexing.

"It seems like everyone knows he's missing," she said.

Waters said that when Thunder bolted, he was wearing a brown leather saddle, bright green saddle pad and breast collar.

He has four shin boots, bright yellow horn bag and blue and green bridle hanging on the horn.

He has four white hooves and two front shoes, is very friendly and loves people and horses.

There have been no sightings of the horse since it bolted, and none of its gear has been found.

Anyone with information is asked to call Waters at (608) 235-4267 or contact the DNR or police.

Waters adopted the horse in February, when she bought him in an auction. Since then, he's become part of the family.

Waters has one other horse, Lightning, so without Thunder, it’s a mismatched pair, she said.

At this point, Waters is growing more discouraged.

"He's an Arabian, not a unicorn," she said. "He couldn't just disappear."