Night-time rescue for fallen horse
© Pegasus
Israeli member society Pegasus rose to the challenge of a very unusual equine rescue in March, coming to the aid of both a trapped horse and a less familiar animal ...
Several miles from the Pegasus rescue facility in central Israel, a father and son were riding their horses toward home at dusk.
While crossing an area once used to grow fruit and crops, the son’s horse suddenly veered to one side and the father felt his mount going down under him.
Subterranean surprise
As the rider threw himself clear, he was horrified to see his horse disappear below the ground. On closer inspection he discovered that the six-year-old equine had fallen down a disused irrigation well.
As the well opening was just one metre in diameter – making the horse's fall all the more surprising – neither father nor son could see anything in the dark. Fearing the worst, they rushed to telephone a vet.
The vet immediately contacted equine experts Pegasus and together they travelled to locate the well – no easy task in the dark.
Difficult operation
© Pegasus
When they reached the owner, who was still in a state of shock, the rescue team used torches to ascertain that the horse was upright, but shaking and clearly distressed.
Local farmers were summoned, bringing heavy machinery for lifting. A member of Pegasus, the vet and the horse’s owner were all lowered four metres into the well to assess the animal’s injuries.
Once underground they were met by a further surprise in the shape of an injured owl, presumably hurt by the falling equine.
The horse was then sedated so ropes and harnesses could be attached. With careful guidance and exceptional manoeuvring by the tractor driver, the horse was lifted clear. The owl was also brought carefully out of the well.
The whole rescue operation took around two hours and was carried in total darkness.
All’s well that ends well
© Pegasus
Once above ground, the horse lay down for several minutes, recovering from the shock and sedative. It then stood and began to graze as if nothing had happened. The owner walked the lucky horse home slowly, as it was suffering from slight lameness in one hind leg.
The owl’s recovery time was similarly brief; it was released that night after being checked by a vet.
The horse was given a clean bill of health following day, suffering from no more than a little stiffness – testimony to the skill of this remarkable rescue.
Connect with WSPA on:
