For three hours, a worried lady hugged to her 17-year-old show horse Astro to keep him from drowning in dirt.
Nicole Graham fought hard to keep her horse relaxed and above the treacherous quagmire muck as the ocean tide approached.
Astro, a 900-pound horse, became trapped in the mud during an afternoon ride in Melbourne, Australia.
Nicole’s daughter Paris had accompanied her on her ride, and her horse had been stuck as well. Nicole was successful in releasing Paris’ horse, but not the larger horse Astro.
Attempts to free Astro led him to become further more trapped, so Nicole’s only option was to maintain him relaxed until aid reached.
Paris was able to get assistance, and Astro was drugged while a harness was fastened to him in order for a tractor to take him out.
Nicole, who owns over ten horses, claimed it took rescuers three hours to take her horse to safety.
Nicole remarked that it was frightening. Seeing her horse fatigued and suffering was really painful.
She has been riding here for 20 years and never had a drama, she continued. She has never seen any indications and had no idea it was that muddy.
Fire lieutenant Roger Buckle, who assisted in the horse’s rescue, characterised the muck as “quicksand.”
Fortunately, Astro just had dehydration and little muscular discomfort.
It’s wonderful Nicole was able to keep Astro quiet until he could be extracted. I can only imagine how terrified he must have been.
