Trail riders throughout Hernando County are searching for Martha, a 15-year-old bay mule who went missing in the 20,000-acre Croom Wildlife Management Area on Sunday.
Brooksville resident Andrea Love said that she and Taylor Leigh of Spring Hill went trail riding in the Croom area on the morning of March 24. Around 1 p.m., the pair stopped and dismounted to take a break and use the restroom.
“That’s when Martha got loose,” Love said.
The women searched for the animal well into the evening but with no success.
“We have been searching from about 8 a.m. to about 9 p.m. every day,” she said.
On Monday afternoon, Martha searchers caught a glimpse of Martha somewhere between Twin Pond and the Clay Pits, but she darted back into the woods.
“We left hay out where Martha has been seen, but it doesn’t look like she has been there,” Love said.
On Tuesday, March 26, drones from Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) joined the search for the animal.
“PHSC volunteered to help us (search), but they found nothing,” Love said. “They were supposed to try again on Tuesday morning, but they told us that the conditions were not good for flying.”
In the meantime, Love has asked residents of the area to leave a gate open on the chance that Martha might wander onto their property.
As the search continues, Martha is described as a bay mule with a brown body and black mane and tail fully tacked, wearing a full bridle and saddle.
She is probably scared and skittish as a result of her having been lost and should not be approached by anyone except someone with horse-handling experience.
“She may come for grain,” Love said.
Anyone who spots Martha should call Love at 813-842-2790 or James Higgs at 727-265-6888.
“There still is an offer of a cash reward for anyone who finds her,” Love said.
Update: Martha the Mule has been found.
