In northern Kentucky near the Ohio border, a 30-year-old horse became trapped in a muddy pond. The poor animal was found by his owner, weak and exhausted, and there was no time to waste.
According to a news report on Cincinnati.com, the horse is named Big Boy and is owned by Cory Wagner. Big Boy was discovered at 6:30 a.m. and it was soon clear he was stuck in the sludge and was likely going to drown.
“I wasn’t going to let that happen on my watch,” Wagner told the reporter. She apparently bought the horse as a two-year-old stallion and the duo had spent the past 28 years together. She put a halter and lead rope on the elderly horse and called law enforcement.
Fortunately, rescue crews arrived from multiple agencies, and they spent two hours saving the horse’s life.
On the Campbell County Kentucky Office of Emergency Management Facebook page a post explained the ordeal:
“This morning, our brave first responders were called into action to rescue a horse trapped in sludge at a pond near Owl Creek Road. The animal was exhausted, and every second counted!
After over two hours of intense, muddy work, the horse was finally safely extracted thanks to the incredible teamwork of multiple agencies.
A huge shoutout to all the dedicated teams who came together for this mission:
- Campbell County Fire District 1
- Campbell Fire / Rescue (CFR)
- Campbell County Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
- Point Pleasant Fire (Boone County)
- Union Fire (Boone County)
Your commitment and teamwork made all the difference. Strong work, everyone!”
But for Wagner the worry isn’t over yet, as the black-and-white pinto has swollen eyes and she wonders about any contaminated water he could have swallowed during his ordeal. But she’s happy he’s safe and still with her. “I just can’t thank the people who came to my house and helped me,” she told Cincinnati.com. “I can’t thank them enough.”