Police wrangle horses running wild from Watchung Stable

UNION COUNTY – About 30 horses at Watchung Stable in Mountainside had to be corralled by police from several communities after one was apparently spooked by a coyote and took off running, with the rest following.

Sebastian D'Elia, Union County communications director, said none of the horses got too far and all were back at the stable within about a half-hour. He said one horse is being evaluated for a possible foot injury.

According to D'Elia, around 7:40 p.m. Monday, one of the horses was apparently spooked by a coyote and pushed out the lower railing of fence and took off. The rest of the horses followed.

D'Elia said Union County police, stable personnel and police from Berkeley Heights, Springfield and Mountainside assisted with rounding up the horses. A police monitoring service indicated that one horse apparently charged a police car while trying to escape. Police in other areas tried to keep the horses from accessing Interstate 78.

Watchung Stable is a Union County facility in the Watchung Reservation. Owned and operated by the county since 1933, the facility offers riding instruction, enhanced equestrian skills and trail riding on 26 miles of bridle paths in the reservation.

The stable complex includes a barn housing about 100 county and privately owned horses, four riding rings, a show ring and an outdoor hunter course.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com