• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » News

    Woman On Horseback And Her Dogs Find Missing Toddler In Oregon Wilderness

    Modified: May 1, 2020 by Amber King · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    You never know what will happen when you head out on a trail ride. Tammy Stevens went for a ride on her horse, Bo, and she brought her two dogs along for the fun. The Australian Shepherds, Wilson and Maddie, plodded alongside Tammy and her horse as they enjoyed the outdoors. The group didn't expect to save the day, but that's exactly what happened.

    https://www.facebook.com/clackcosheriff/photos/pcb.2575753749177163/2575750892510782/?type=3&theater

    What started off as a fun walk at the Moalalla River Recreation Area quickly turned into panic when 2-year-old Iris Nix disappeared from the trail. The toddler was spending time with her grandmother, Gayla Ann, when she got excited and ran ahead. Gayla went after her energetic granddaughter, but the trail soon split into four different directions. Gayla searched frantically on her own for 15 minutes, but Iris didn't show up. Not willing to waste any more time, Gayla called for help. She told FOX 12,

    "Yea, 15 minutes I could tolerate. After 15 minutes I started to lose it."

    The Coackamas County Sheriff's office responded to the call and organized a search.  Several sheriff's office deputies, local police officers, and nearby loggers joined forces to comb through the thick wilderness. As the search continued, several area residents and visitors also joined the effort--those included Tammy, her horse, and her two dogs.

    https://www.facebook.com/clackcosheriff/photos/pcb.2575753749177163/2575750569177481/?type=3&theater

    Tammy searched the area from the saddle with her two dogs sniffing the ground below. After about 20 minutes, she heard a child crying. She said to her dog,

    "Go get her!"

    Four-legged Wilson followed the child's crying up a steep embankment. He kept climbing and climbing, and Tammy eventually had to dismount Bo and tie him to a tree. She followed her dog up what she estimates to be a 70-foot slope, and there she was. Iris was crying and upset, but she was otherwise unharmed. 

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    Tammy, Bo, and the dogs successfully got Iris back to her family after the toddler had been missing for two hours. With unpredictable weather and wildlife, the entire community is grateful that Tammy decided to go on a trail ride at the exact right time. 

    More News

    • 41 Genius Horse Care Hacks You've Never Thought Of
    • Director Ashley Avis Of Disney+'s New Black Beauty Film Talks With iHeartHorses
    • Understanding Horse Behavior
      Study Shows Horses Understand Our Intentions
    • Horse Blanket Benefits
      Do Blanketed Horses Eat Less? Study Says Yes

    Sharing is caring!

    70.7K shares
    • Share70.7K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 10 Top YouTube Channels for Horse Lovers
    • 11 Horse Gadgets and Apps for Tech Lovers
    • 11 Surprising Christmas Ideas for Horse Lovers
    • 6 Of The Best Places to See Wild Horses in the US
    • 7 Top Podcasts for Horse Lovers (Trending Now)

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    70.7K shares
    • 70.7K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy