A Clydesdale that was stuck in a mud pit in Chester County, possibly for hours, was finally pulled free just before 2 p.m. Wednesday, but not before several emergency crews were summoned, a veterinarian was contacted, and a crane was brought in to lift the 1,700-pound beast out of the muck.
Slideshow Rescuers free horse stuck in a mud pit in Chesco
The drama at Thornbury Farm Stables on the 1200 block of Thornbury Road in West Chester began about 8 a.m., when police were notified that the 18-year-old horse, Cyrus, was missing.
Lt. William Cahill, spokesman for the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department, said the horse had been last seen about 6:30 p.m. the day before.
Cyrus was found about 10 a.m. in the swampy pit. It was not known how long he had been there, but only his head and rear were above the dark marshland.
"About 80 percent of the horse was submerged," Cahill said.
Staff from Unionville Equine Associates sedated Cyrus to keep him safe and make it easier for rescuers — including the county Department of Emergency Services — to work with him.
Just in: Cyrus the Clydesdale is stuck in the mud in Chesco. Crews working to free sedated, 1700 pound horse. pic.twitter.com/Oqk3yz4zcg
— Mike Neilon6ABC (@MikeNeilon) October 5, 2016
Rescue technicians then "built a platform around the horse, positioned straps around the horse, and then utilized air-knife trench-rescue tools to slowly extricate Cyrus from the marsh," Cahill said in a statement.
He was "removed from the swamp area and then a large crane was used to relocate Cyrus from the swamping area," Cahill said. About two dozen rescue workers and a front-end loader also were at the scene.
The horse had been lifted at least 20 feet into the air and was still groggy from being sedated, so he did not immediately attempt to stand.
Fame Fire Company No. 3 of West Chester tweeted a photo showing the large brown equine on its side, 6ABC tweeted images it had taken from its __news helicopter of the rescue, and Fox __news live-streamed the drama. Viewers from across the country and around the world —Russia, Denmark, Britain, Bulgaria — commented on the plight of the horse.
Randell Spackman, owner of the family farm, said the horse belonged to a boarder.
"It was a tough situation," said Spackman. The seriousness began to sink in when the horse could not get free from the mud, he said.
Spackman said Cyrus would recover. "I think he is going to be very sleepy and tired after a day like this," he said.
Cahill said Cyrus would remain at Thornbury Farm under the care of veterinary staff. His condition was listed as "guarded."
mschaefer@phillynews.com 215-854-4908 @MariSchaefer
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