Arabian mare put down after huge rescue mission in Galston

AN OLD mare at the centre of a huge rescue mission in Galston has sadly been put down after more than 20 people rushed to help save the “beautiful” animal.

AN OLD mare at the centre of a huge rescue mission in Galston has sadly been put down after more than 20 people rushed to help save the “beautiful” animal.

The 32-year-old Arabian mare, named Mishnah, escaped from her paddock on Sunday and became stuck in a nearby creek bed at a property on Sallaway Rd.

Her owner Sue Morris went looking for her about 8am and found her stuck in mud up to her belly.

The rescue operation took about five hours to free the old mare. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

Ms Morris’ calls for help were quickly answered when a rescue team of more than 20 people arrived from the police, SES, RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW.

The huge team worked tirelessly from 9am to 2pm before eventually pulling the mare from the muddy creek — to cheers from those involved.

Sadly, the exhausted and injured horse was put down the following morning.

Ms Morris spent the entire night beside her “beautiful” horse with a friend — in icy weather — before making the tough call the following morning to put her down.

The exhausted horse was sadly put down after being rescued. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

“She was in bad shape,” she said.

“I think she must have injured her back left leg because she could not bear any weight on that leg.”

She said the horse continued to collapse onto its side whenever it tried to stand up.

She said she wanted to thank everyone who helped in the rescue mission.

“They were fantastic doing what they were doing and had her best interests at heart.”

The Blacktown specialty unit was part of a team of 10 Fire and Rescue firefighters, seven Galston RFS volunteers, three police officers and an SES specialist who removed the horse, who weighed between 500kg and 600kg.

Galston’s James Davis was quick to lend a helping hand on Sunday with his excavator.

Crews also had to enlist the help of Galston builder James Davis who lent his excavator to rescue the mare.

Castle Hill acting station commander Scott Hayward said the weight of the mare made it difficult to pull her out.

“They do kind of kick out and as they struggle they become more and more exhausted,’’ he said.

Mr Hayward said Ms Morris, who owns two other horses aged 32, was stoic during the operation.

“I imagine she could have been distressed but she stayed strong,” he said.

Mr Davis, who was accepted into Fire and Rescue NSW and will begin training in August, said the rescue lent him an insight into his future work.

“It was a really good team effort.”