‘Most difficult horse rescue I have personally been involved with’
A DOZEN firefighters helped to pull out a massive horse stuck in the mud in a Riverstone farm with the head of the rescue team calling it the “most difficult horse rescue he has been involved with”.
Rouse Hill
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A DOZEN firefighters worked bravely to pull out a massive horse stuck in the mud in a Riverstone farm on Australia Day, with the head of the rescue team calling it the “most difficult horse rescue I have personally been involved with”.
The 700kg, 15 hand horse, named Moose, had become stuck in the middle of the dry bed of a dam on Windsor Rd, with the desperate owners calling emergency services after failing in their bid to free their steed.
Inspector Kernin Lambert, Fire and Rescue’s Duty Commander for Western Sydney, praised the amazing work by Riverstone and Blacktown teams, along with Hawkesbury SES, whose provided the specialised horse rescue equipment.
He said it took them three hours to free the animal, first digging either side of him before using a harness to slowly pull him out, with crews also having to deal with hot and humid conditions.
“In 25 years, this is by far the most difficult horse rescue I have personally been involved with,” said Inspector Lambert, who said horse rescues are very challenging.
“Ironically, it is the most successful and I can only attribute that to the fantastic men and women that responded to this incident for their high levels of technical skills, determination and their passionate and humane commitment to save an animal in distress.”
When the Riverstone and Blacktown teams arrived on the scene just before 6pm, they found Moose buried in mud up to his head and unable to get out, despite efforts from his owners for two hours.
The rescue crews were expertly helped by Dr Jenny Watts of Agnes Banks Equine Clinic who sedated Moose and kept a close watch on the horse during the entire rescue.
Inspector Lambert said they first made sure Moose was calm while they worked out the best way to remove him without injuring him or causing him more stress.
“Firefighters determined that his front legs were folded under his body and the rescue would have to proceed slowly and delicately, because of the danger of causing Moose injury,” Inspector Lambert said.
“Very fortunately, equine vet Dr Jenny Watts was able to come out and with the rescue crew was able to sedate the horse and provide veterinary care throughout the rescue, monitoring Moose’s welfare and providing veterinary intervention when necessary.
“Firefighters dug either side of Moose within the thick mud to attach the rescue slings and to try as best as possible to dig out Moose’s legs from the mud.
“A haul party consisting of 12 firefighters and SES members began to slowly pull the rescue ropes attached to the harness around Moose, to help move him forward, up and out.”
However, midway during the lift, Dr Watts observed that Moose’s front left leg appeared to be stuck, forcing the rescue to the halter while a rope was used to unfold and straighten that leg.
This was the only hitch and Moose was freed a short while later with Dr Watts clearing him of any injuries.
Inspector Lambert said they usually have about one or two horse rescues a year, saying they are fraught with danger.
“This was a fantastic team effort between members of the Hawkesbury SES, Blacktown and Riverstone Fire and Rescue crews and the equine veterinarian Dr Jenny Watts,” he said.
“Horse rescues contain numerous hazards and difficulties and are enormously challenging for the rescue crews.
“Often there are few things going in our favour and often the result is not the outcome we were hoping for.”