His name is Twist-of-Fate, but everyone calls him Twister. Part thoroughbred and part draft horse, Twister is known as a warmblood horse, a combination that gives him both his good looks and kind disposition. It also makes him a fast learner and a good role model.
By all accounts, Twister's lucky to be alive at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, a division of the Humane Society of Missouri that's a safe refuge for abused and neglected farm animals. “It’s like a dog and cat rescue, but for farm animals,” says Ranch Manager Anna Gates.
Twister is one of about 150 animals living on 165 acres of woodland near Union, Missouri. “It’s a haven for hundreds of abused and neglected horses, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals. The ranch is one of the most comprehensive horse and farm animal care and rehabilitation centers in the country," Anna says
Along with caring for the animals, ranch staffers provide hands-on humane education experiences for both children and adults.
Twister’s mother, “Mama,” was one of 42 horses being transported in 2006 to an Illinois slaughter house on a double-decker semi-truck when it overturned on a Missouri interstate. Mama was carrying Twister at the time, which Anna says turned out to be a true twist-of-fate if not a miracle. Mama was one of 26 equines that survived the fateful crash. All of the other pregnant horses lost their babies that night.
But the accident ironically saved Mama’s life, and in turn, Twister’s. The now 19-year-old Twister was born healthy seven months after the accident on April 18, 2007. Every year Longmeadow celebrates Twister’s birthday with a huge party at the ranch: a flagship event known as the Spring Fling.
Though most of the animals on the property are available for adoption, Twister can be sponsored but not adopted. He's part of the Barn Buddy program, which helps feed, board and provide medical care for all of the rescued farm animals, including other horses, mini donkeys, pigs, birds and alpacas.
But what's unique about the 1,200-pound equine are his artistic abilities. “Twister was born healthy and funny,” Anna says. “He has had a personality since the day he was born. As a colt, and a yearling too, he was always very animated. He loves people.”
Twister also serves in the Longmeadow’s lesson programs.
Longmeadow volunteers noticed early on that Twister was always “in their back pockets,” Anna says. “In other words, he would follow them around and use his lips to feel or nuzzle.” The workers used positive reinforcement and clicker training to teach him, first to hold a paint brush, then to bring it to the paper, then eventually to paint.
“Twister is quite the artist,” Anna declares. “He creates beautiful, abstract works of art. His one-of-a-kind masterpieces are on display and for sale in the ranch’s gallery and on its website. The money made from them supports Longmeadow’s rescue mission, including grass hay and pelleted horse feed and apple treats, deworming, vaccinations, hoof and nail trimming, vet visits and special veterinary dentist visits.
“We like to say Twister is like Picasso,” Anna says. “He paints abstract pictures. He gives back.”
Originally known as Packwood Longmeadow Farm, the ranch was purchased in 1988, with a generous bequest from George Packwood Jr., of land to be used specifically for the care of ranch animals. A signal construction foreman for the Frisco Railroad, George's wealth came from creating a mild industrial soap and a special soap dispenser. After launching his business in 1926, he sold it to the Calgon Corporation in the 1950s.