Rescue crews pulled a 25-year-old horse out of thick mud on Monday, saving her life.
On the evening of Monday May 15, 2017 Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to a trapped horse in the 2200 block of Retreat Lane in Plant City.
When Firefighters from Station 25 arrived they reported a 25-year-old horse trapped in thick mud. Units called for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Agriculture unit to respond to the scene.
Rescue crews tried to break the suction from the horse, but weren't successful. So they decided to call a vet and heavy equipment to the scene.
HCFR Heavy Rescue 11, Dr. Alexandra Urban from the Brandon Equine Medical Center, The Polk County Sheriff's Office State Agriculture Response Team, Hillsborough County Public Works (DPW), and RVR Horse Rescue responded to the scene. Dr. Urban sedated Kiersa while Rescue crews used padded straps, and a DPW Gradeall to remove Kiersa from the mud.
Kiersa was placed on the ground, her vitals were checked, and she woke up about 30 minutes after being removed from the mud. Thankfully it appears that there were no broken bones, and Kiersa was able to stand up.
Dr. Urban administered IV fluids and antibiotics to Kiersa, and the family is having her monitored for further health complications.