Search continues for missing horse Esko in Joutsala, Finland

Anu Paalanen from Joutsala has been searching for her horse, Esko, for a week. “Horses are like children to me. The worry is incredibly intense,” she shared.

The last time Paalanen saw her six-year-old Finnish horse gelding was on the evening of October 7, when she was feeding the horses minerals. The following morning, Esko was missing. There were no signs of struggle or disturbance; the paddock’s electric fencing and other structures were intact, and the other horses in the herd were safe.

Search efforts for Esko have included aerial drone assistance equipped with a thermal camera and ground searches with dogs, all to no avail. Local hunting clubs have been notified about the missing horse, and a police report has been filed regarding the disappearance.

Esko has been living in Paalanen’s stable for nearly a year and is known to be gentle and sociable, often described as teddy bear-like. “He is also highly herd-oriented. Something completely inexplicable must have happened for him to separate from the other horses,” she remarked.

Although Esko has been trained to pull a cart, he has not competed and does not have significant monetary value. Paalanen has kept horses for nearly twenty years, noting, “They have escaped at times, but usually, they stay nearby or move to a neighboring pasture to graze.”

The search for Esko continues. Paalanen remains on alert, ready to respond to calls at any moment. She has received numerous inquiries, but none have provided credible leads on Esko’s whereabouts. “I hope only verified sightings are reported. If the horse is seen in the wrong location, please contact the police directly,” she urged.