California: Horse freed from bog at Wilder Ranch

CALIFORNIA -- A horse became stuck in a muddy bog more than two hours Tuesday afternoon and was rescued without injury on Woodcutters Trail in Wilder Ranch, according to Cal Fire.

“The horse went right down to her belly,” Battalion Chief Aldo Gonzalez said. Two riders, who also weren’t’ hurt, worked for an hour to free the horse, but they had to call for help. That 911 call was about 2:30 p.m.

State Parks Public Safety Superintendent Bill Wolcott said the horse stopped for a drink near the bog and became stuck.

“There were two horseback riders, riding together,” Wolcott said. “The area was wet with mud as of result of recent storms.”

Gonzalez said he and others diverted the flow of water around the wet area.

“It firmed up the surrounding soils,” Gonzalez said. “We kind of held it by its bridle from a sandy area nearby. The mud firmed up and the horse was able to get out on its own.”

He said the riders were working to save the horse’s life.

“They were as muddy as the horse,” Gonzalez said.

Cal Fire was waiting on large-animal rescuers to arrive from Felton when the horse walked out of the mud.

(Santa Cruz Sentinel - March 7, 2017)