ASHEBORO, N.C. — Fire and rescue crews worked together Saturday to free a horse that became stuck in mud in a pond after just 30 minutes in a new pasture.
Aaliyah Ratcliffe had recently adopted the 7-year-old horse, named Rose, as a rescue animal. On Saturday, she placed the horse in a small paddock that included a pond.
“She tried to cross the grassy area of it, and I believe she didn’t think it was mud underneath,” Ratcliffe said.
When Rose became stuck, neighbors with horse experience attempted initial assistance before calling Guild-Rand Fire Department. Ash-Rand Rescue and Randolph County Animal Control also responded.
Rescuers used webbing, pulleys and ropes to extract the horse from the mud. Once freed, Rose was wrapped in a blanket to warm up and eventually was able to walk to a stall to recover.
“It was a crazy day for sure,” said neighbor Brandy Longmire, who photographed the rescue. “We really have remarkable neighbors on this street. Crazy things like this happen here a lot and we always all show up to help.”
Ratcliffe said she plans to work with Rose to train her to interact with children. Rose is recovering well, she added.
Photos Provided By – Aaliyah Ratcliffe / Aaliyah Ratcliffe
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