![We knew this was going to be a long rescue](https://aubtu.biz/medias/47/2023-11/0-0-anh1-drowning.webp)
The moment they arrived, rescuers immediately realized that getting this horse to safety would be tough, requiring unwavering determination and collaborative efforts.
“We knew this was going to be a long and challenging rescue,” Maury County Office of Emergency Management director Jeff Hardy said.
![they successfully freed the horse](https://aubtu.biz/medias/47/2023-11/0-0-anh2-drowning.webp)
Recognizing the complexity of the task at hand, departments across the county, including the Maury County Office of Emergency Management, the Maury County Highway Department, and Williamson County Fire/Rescue, were dispatching rescuers and equipment to the scene.
They used plywood to create a stable surface and dug for hours to make a path for the horse. After five and a half hours, they successfully freed the horse by strapping a harness around the horse’s midsection and carefully pulling the frightened horse to safety. The moment was a triumph for both the rescuers and the horse.
![People gathered to watch as the rescuers freed the horse](https://aubtu.biz/medias/47/2023-11/0-0-anh3-drowning.webp)
People gathered to watch as the rescuers freed the horse from the muddy sinkhole. Hardy said, “Everyone was relieved that the horse was finally free and doing well.”
She added, “It took the horse about an hour to regain strength and move on its own again. You could tell the horse was relieved as well.”
![the horse received a bath and a check-up](https://aubtu.biz/medias/47/2023-11/0-0-anh4-drowning.webp)
After the rescue, the horse received a bath and a check-up. A vet ensured the horse's well-being on its journey to recovery.
Returning home, the resilient horse resumed its daily life. Hardy said, “The horse is doing well, according to the owners. She is back to her normal self."
We are all relieved that the horse managed to break free from the muddy sinkhole. It must have been quite a challenging and tense situation for everyone involved in the rescue effort.
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