Forty-year-old horse rescued from Schofields dam

A 40-year-old horse is expected to make a full recovery after being pulled from a dam at Schofields.

In the area’s second equine rescue in three weeks, firefighters responded after the owners of 400kg mare Matilda – or ‘Tilly’ – discovered her unable to get out of the the Grange Avenue property’s dam about 3.40 pm on Tuesday, February 20.

Fire and Rescue NSW Blacktown Heavy Rescue responded, followed a short time later by crews from Ashfield, and Hawkesbury State Emergency Service (SES) also attended with specialised equine rescue equipment.

Local equine vet, Dr Kylie Hardwicke of Hawkesbury Equine Veterinary Centre, was also called to the scene alongside Rural Fire Service crews from Marsden Park and Londonderry.

“Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with a very difficult rescue scene; Tilly was located on her side, submerged in water, with only her head above the water’s surface,” Fire and Rescue NSW duty commander for western Sydney, Inspector Kernin Lambert said.

“The surface of the water was located beneath a steep and slippery embankment. The very soft mud base of the dam could not provide a solid footing for the horse and there was absolutely no way Tilly was going to be able to get free from the water herself.

“Tilly was extremely fragile because of her age, compounding the situation.”

The rescue crews used ropes attached to Tilly’s halter to keep her head above water, and she was given a light sedation to help her remain calm during the rescue.

“As the sedation began to take effect, Blacktown rescue Senior Firefighter Mark Ellam entered the water and working with Hawkesbury SES operator David King, began to place rescue slings under Tilly’s legs and around her body,” Inspector Lambert said.

“The rescue slings were then connected to ropes. A haul party, consisting of Fire and Rescue and RFS firefighters, began to slowly pull on the ropes, carefully releasing Tilly from the water. As soon as Tilly was out of the water, she was placed onto a hard plastic board known as a “horse glide” and removed to an area of safety away from the water’s edge.

“After several minutes, Tilly began to recover from sedation and was on her feet, where she was led to a secure paddock for further assessment and treatment from Dr Hardwicke.”

The rescue took about an hour, and Tilly’s owners remained with her throughout. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Inspector Lambert said the rescue crews and Dr Hardwicke showed “enormous levels of dedication, care and commitment” throughout the rescue.

“Incredibly, the Blacktown rescue crews had just spent four hours fighting an intense and protracted industrial fire only three kilometres from the scene of the rescue,” he said.

“Even the most straightforward horses rescue are difficult and potentially quite hazardous for the trapped horse and for those attempting the rescue. Rescue crews at this incident had to be vigilant to the added dangers of working on an unstable and slippery embankment near the waters edge.

“The agencies worked together magnificently as a single team and the outcome was enormously successful. Tilly’s life was saved was because of the humane compassion, determination and professionalism displayed by the combined efforts of the rescue crews and veterinarian Dr Hardwicke.”

For photos of the rescue click here

Article courtesty of Fairfax