Miniature therapy horse on the road to recovery after cougar mauling

Tiny therapy horse recovering from cougar mauling Six-year-old miniature horse Rio is slowly improving after the vicious attack that left him with dozens of wounds.

A miniature therapy horse is recovering from his injuries after a vicious mauling by a cougar. Six-year-old Rio suffered dozens of wounds after the attack in early November.

“These were very deep puncture wounds and they're healing so well. And last week he wouldn't let me touch them and this week he is,” said Rio’s owner Barb Tunshell. “I finally a week ago stopped crying every time I looked at him.”

In addition to the physical wounds Rio has also suffered psychological trauma.

“He'll come to me but other people he'll go and stand behind me. He's nervous. But I know for me the trust is back,” she said.

Rio spent about ten days at a veterinary hospital after the attack with his friend Chaka, also a rescue horse, by his side.

Chaka and Rio work with Tunshell’s daughter who has special needs, and are also used for therapy in senior’s homes.

“These horses, for how little they are, have had so many hugs and so many tears cried on them and so many smiles,” Tunshell said.

Rio has received financial support through a GoFundMe page from strangers across Canada and the United States.

“[I’m] so grateful to everybody who has helped him because he is where he is today because of everybody's kindness and support,” Tunshell said.

She is hopeful Rio will soon be healed and back to helping others.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Michele Brunoro