Horse pulled from middle of frozen pond in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Kan. (KSNW) — A horse was pulled from the middle of a frozen pond in Augusta Wednesday afternoon.

According to Andover Fire Rescue Chief Chad Russell, they were called out to the 11000 block of SW Tawakoni Rd. for a horse that was stuck on ice.

Upon arrival at the scene, a 3-year-old 1,800-pound draft mare was found lying down in the middle of a frozen pond. She had not broken through the ice.

Russell said crews were able to put on ice suits and get out to her immediately.

“We slung her with our normal ropes and webbing that we use for rope rescues, and with those slings, we were able to pull her off the ice and get her over to the edge. She’s on solid ground now. She’s just really tired,” said Russell.

She was unable to stand on her own.

Andover Fire Rescue requested aid from the Butler County Kansas Animal Response Team (BUCART).

Once a veterinarian arrived on the scene, the horse was sedated and placed on a rescue slide to be moved away from the pond and onto more level and drier ground. She was then given fluids, blanketed and allowed to rest and recover.

At this point she was still unable to stand, so she was raised up by a skip loader and Becker Sling into a standing position.

Still unable to bear any weight, she was lowered back to the ground. The veterinarian recommended she be recovered with blankets and allowed to further rest and recover.