Animals

Animal Services Rescues Horse Stuck in Boulder-Filled Ravine

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A horse found injured and bleeding after a fall down a deep ravine Thursday evening is now recovering from its injuries at the County Animal Services shelter in Bonita.

The 8-year-old stallion was rescued after the Department of Animal Services received a call from agents with the U.S. Border Patrol. Agents had been monitoring a person on horseback who was leading a second horse in Potrero. The person caught sight of the agents and fled into Mexico, leaving the second horse behind. The stallion fell down a steep boulder-filled ravine and suffered injuries to all four legs and its face.

An animal control officer hiked through heavy brush for about one-and-a-half miles to reach the horse. He found the chestnut in obvious pain and bleeding from several injuries. With the help of three agents pulling on the lead rope and the animal control officer, they eventually managed to get the horse out of the ravine and into an Animal Services trailer. 

The horse was immediately transported to the animal care facility in Bonita where it was examined by an emergency equine veterinarian. The animal had suffered cuts and scrapes to all four of its legs and also a split lip from the fall into the boulders. The stallion will remain under the care of the department’s veterinary staff until he has recovered.

“At a time when the department is celebrating “Help a Horse Day” this Saturday, it is an amazing coincidence that we were called to help yet another horse in distress,” said Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa.

“Help a Horse Day” will feature Simone, a horse that was rescued by the Department in 2008 after she almost starved to death in Campo. She’ll be reunited with the staff that nursed her back to health. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 26 at the Department’s shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. Read more about Simone and the sanctuary that works with the County to help rescued horses.