ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Responding to a request for an animal rescue is usually a routine call. However, when Orange County Firefighters arrived on the scene they found a 1600 pound stallion lying on his side, stuck in a muddy creek. A local stable owner called 9-1-1 after he discovered the horse had broken out of his stable, went on a field trip, and ended up in the muddy swamp.
It is unknown how long the horse, named Rex, an 8-year-old Hanoverian stallion, thrashed in this swampy creek trying to free himself. When Orange County Firefighters arrived he was getting tired, his legs were deep in the muck and the water was all the way up to his neck. They requested the expertise from one of our three Squads.
Firefighters from Squad 3 got into the muddy creek placing harnesses and ropes around Rex; hoping the 1,600-pound horse would have enough strength left to help them. They tried twice to pull him from the front while cheering him on, but neither time worked. “Instead of being able to use him to help us, we had to sedate him and pull him out asleep,” said veterinarian Dr. Christina Arellano.
Rex was up and walking within a half hour after he was freed. He had no major injuries just a few minor scrapes.