A two-year-old gelding named Ice had to be rescued from a pit in a paddock on a rural property in Rakaia on Sunday.
The Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade, along with neighbors, other volunteers, and a vet, came together for the rescue mission.
Deputy chief of the brigade, Fred Clarkson, described the scene as firefighters arrived to find the horse trapped in the pit, with only its ears visible above the top.
The initial plan was to dig a ramp into the side of the pit for the horse to walk out, but Ice became stressed and ended up on his back.
After sedating Ice, firefighters carefully placed straps around his body by digging with their hands. Using a winch on their specialized medical ute, they slowly lifted Ice out of the pit, ensuring his safety throughout the process.
Once out, the vet administered necessary medication, and Ice stood up as if nothing had happened, much to everyone’s relief.
The entire operation lasted about an hour and a half, with a successful outcome that left everyone pleased.
Clarkson, who has been a member of the brigade for 35 years, noted that this was the first horse rescue callout he was aware of for the team.
Ice’s veterinarian, Matt Hart of Vetlife Dunsandel, mentioned the precarious situation Ice was in and expressed relief that the horse was safely rescued with only minor scrapes.
The owner of Ice, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed immense gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue, highlighting their care and dedication towards her beloved horse.
