Horse found stuck neck-deep in mud leads to odd rescue in South Carolina woods

A horse was discovered neck-deep in mud over the weekend, making for an odd rescue operation in a remote part of Anderson County, South Carolina.

It happened Sunday, Dec. 19, and photos posted by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office show the adult horse was immobilized.

“Dispatch received a call about a horse that was stuck in the mud on Fants Grove Road,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

“Responding deputies trekked nearly 2 miles from the nearest parking area and located the horse stuck nearly neck deep.”

Realizing the extent of the predicament, deputies called not only the county’s animal control department but also emergency services, officials said.

“Large animal rescue equipment” was hauled in and successfully freed the horse after dark, officials said.

“Other than exhaustion, the horse was unharmed and able to walk back to the owner’s truck and trailer,” officials said.

It was almost a repeat of something that happened to a different horse in October, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies discovered a horse “had fallen into a ditch after the heavy rains.” Photos show it was wedged in the trench up to its shoulders, alongside a large drainage pipe.

The horse was freed and survived, officials reported.

This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 8:45 AM with the headline "Horse found stuck neck-deep in mud leads to odd rescue in South Carolina woods."