Over the weekend, a complex rescue effort took place in Connecticut to free two horses, Damascus and Beau, who had become stuck in a swampy mess. The horses, who live at Stirrup Fun Stables Rescue, got stuck in mud up to their armpits while taking a shortcut between a pasture and a barn. Damascus, a 20-year-old Percheron, and Beau, a 24-year-old quarter horse, had both been rescued from difficult situations in the past and found safe haven at the farm. The farm workers spent several hours trying to free the horses before calling for outside help.
The Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department received the call about the stuck horses and arrived to find a logistical nightmare. Beau and Damascus were deep in mud in a heavily wooded area that was difficult to access. The Durham Animal Response Team was also called to assist, as the scale of the rescue was larger than anything the firefighters had ever seen before. The plan was to pull the horses out of the swamp and roll them onto a sled-like device made of rigid plastic to pull them to solid ground. Both horses were in distress and extremely tired, as they had been thrashing about in the mud in an effort to free themselves.
About 45 people were involved in the rescue effort, with approximately 40 people in the woods using ropes, saws, plywood, and logs to build a makeshift bridge across the mud. It took about 30 minutes to extract each horse, with one horse stuck for around seven hours, and the other for three to four hours. Once the horses were moved to safety, they lay down for a period before getting up. By around 6:20 p.m., both horses were warm, standing, and happily eating fresh hay. Despite being a little stiff and sore the next day, both horses were acting normal and doing well.
Horses are known for getting themselves into trouble due to their curious nature, according to Jeanna Prink, the director of Stirrup Fun Stables Rescue. Damascus had been saved from an auction’s kill pen, while Beau was brought to the farm by his previous owners who were unable to care for him properly. Both horses are now doing amazing and acting normal, as if nothing had ever happened. The successful rescue effort involved nearly 50 people and took five hours to complete, with an intricate plan to pull the horses to safety using a makeshift bridge and sled-like device.
The rescue effort was a collaborative one, involving the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department, the Durham Animal Response Team, and numerous volunteers. The firefighters and volunteers worked tirelessly to build a bridge across the mud and successfully extract both horses from their predicament. The horses were in distress and extremely tired by the time the rescue efforts began, but they were able to be safely moved to solid ground. Both Beau and Damascus were calm throughout the rescue and were able to recover well after the ordeal.
Overall, the rescue was a success and both horses are now safe and sound. They are back to their normal routines and are doing well despite their brief stint in the mud. The teamwork and dedication of everyone involved in the rescue effort ensured a happy ending for Beau and Damascus, who are now back to their curious and adventurous selves. The rescue serves as a reminder of the importance of quick thinking, collaboration, and perseverance when it comes to helping animals in need.
