I wasn’t expecting to see the wild animal rescued in this video turn out to be a baby horse, but that’s exactly the animal these wonderful people saved from drowning.
The young wild filly had slipped down a river embankment and fallen into the raging waters of Trout Creek in Summerland, BC, Canada. The 6-month-old feral horse had probably been stuck in the ice-cold water for several hours when she was spotted by a woman while she was walking her dogs.
The woman immediately called O.A.T.S. Horse Rescue, who got together a team of volunteers to go help the drowning horse.
O.A.T.S. Horse Rescue
When O.A.T.S. volunteers arrived at the river, the filly was clinging to the rocks. She was exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.
The volunteers were joined by the Summerland Fire Deparatment and local RCMP. It was a difficult rescue as the rescuers had to battle the violent waters and slippery surfaces to get to the frightened horse. Not only that, but because the horse was wild, she was scared of human touch.
O.A.T.S. Horse Rescue
Eventually, they lassoed the horse and used a tarp and sheet of plywood like a stretcher to hoist her safely out of the water.
O.A.T.S. Horse Rescue
O.A.T.S. Horse Rescue
Although she got scraped up, thankfully her injuries are all superficial and will heal. The rescued filly has been aptly named River.
O.A.T.S. Horse Rescue
What an amazing group effort! I’m so glad River was saved and will be looked after from now on.
Watch her full rescue in the video below.
She’s currently recovering in foster care and when she is well enough she will be made available for adoption!
Theresa Anne Nolet provided an update on River: “River is doing very well in her foster home. Seen here getting a little grass time you can see she is healing well. Amazing that she did not suffer any serious injuries from her ‘swim’ in the swollen waters of Trout Creek.”
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