The Daily Beast Special - Amazing Horse Rescue - February 29, 2012
Newspix / Rex Features
It was a race against the tide that pulled at the heartstrings. For three hours, show horse Astro was stuck neck deep in thick mud at Avalon Beach on Corio Bay, Australia as the tide inched closer.
Newspix / Rex Features
Rescue crews first tried to pull the 18-year-old, 500kg horse free with fire hoses, and then a winch before a vet turned up to sedate Astro and pull him clear with a tractor.
Newspix / Rex Features
Owner Nicole Graham (above) said she and daughter Paris, 7, set off at noon when without warning she sunk up to her waist in thick mud.
Newspix / Rex Features
The crews knew by 5pm that the tide would have come all the way in. But within minutes of the waters rising around him, Astro was being dragged up on to solid ground slowly but surely - the team filthy but ecstatic.
Newspix / Rex Features
After the traumatic ordeal, Nicole Graham leads Astro along beach.
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Some will say- "it's only a horse"... but what a nice online story... for a change !
Posted by: The return of Goran! | 02/29/2012 at 11:30 AM
Really nice to see. Let us all one day get unstuck from the mud of our lives!
Posted by: Sean | 02/29/2012 at 12:26 PM
STORY OF LOVE OF HORSES AND HUMAN BEINGS
Posted by: kuldipbadhan | 02/29/2012 at 12:32 PM
Empathy for others, no matter what species. Good job done by all.
Posted by: Wendy | 02/29/2012 at 12:47 PM
ARTEX!!!!!!!
Posted by: Atreyu | 02/29/2012 at 12:56 PM
Why are they all so clean and dry in the 'after' photo?
Posted by: John Dough | 02/29/2012 at 12:58 PM
When you are a horse parent, you know that it is not "simply a horse", that animal is loved as one of your family members!
Posted by: Carla | 02/29/2012 at 01:10 PM
Horses are truly amazing creatures and although they cant speak their eyes are the windows to their soul
Posted by: Anne Size | 02/29/2012 at 02:48 PM
What an amazing rescue. Lucky horse. Real heroes to the rescue!
Posted by: Pamela Becking | 02/29/2012 at 02:53 PM
@Goran: Even if it is "only a horse", horses are very intelligent animals. They feel suffering as well.
Posted by: ana | 02/29/2012 at 02:55 PM
ahmen to your comment Goran!! We could all use a little getting unstuck!!
Posted by: Bonnie W | 02/29/2012 at 03:24 PM
Anyone else reminded of that scene from The Neverending Story?
Posted by: Jpeg | 02/29/2012 at 03:52 PM
A wonderful heartfelt story amidst the daily drugeries.
Posted by: sageman7@gmail.com | 02/29/2012 at 04:45 PM
I am so happy the horse was set free from the mud. That was damn sad to see it stuck like that. Just glad it turned out in the positive,.
Posted by: Victoria Gneo | 02/29/2012 at 05:30 PM
What a beautiful story about love and friendship between humans and animals. I am sure the owner was distressed to relive the photos but amazing things can happen when humanity is at work. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Tina | 02/29/2012 at 09:58 PM
Wow! I also own a horse and that must have been very scary for you and your horse. I'm very grateful that Astro was okay and back in the arms of someone who loves him. Take care....Cheers, Julie
Posted by: julie Desgrosseilliers | 03/02/2012 at 05:44 PM