Having strayed from their home at a farm in eastern Pennsylvania, two adventurous Clydesdales found themselves in a frigid predicament when they fell through the ice of a nearby lake.
Luckily, the robust duo named Gunther and Wilhelm, both 15 years old, were rescued in an operation of skill and determination led by local firefighters.
If you prefer not to read the full story,
Skip ahead to watch the video ->
Escaping from the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, the horses appear to have ventured onto the icy surface of Pine Grove Lake, located less than a mile from the farm. Their venture ended abruptly as the ice underneath them collapsed.
Commandeered by the Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Fire Company, the rescue mission involved a combination of equipment, including a boat and chainsaws.
The team tirelessly worked to carve a path through the ice, guiding the horses toward the safety of the shoreline.
Fire Chief Leon Clapper underlined the unfeasibility of an alternative approach. “We were never going to lift them onto the ice and whisk them away in a boat,” he stated.
The successful operation was captured on video, displaying the rescue team guiding Gunther and Wilhelm through the makeshift icy canal back to the land.
Arlene Reading, a longtime resident, shared her surprise, “In my 54 years here, we’ve never witnessed such an incident involving either human or animal on the lake. This is a first.”
Community members, including those with equestrian knowledge, rallied to assist the vets in warming the horses after their frosty ordeal. “It was truly a remarkable team effort,” Chief Clapper praised.
Miraculously, the intrepid horses emerged from their icy incident unscathed. Deborah DiPasquale of the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm jokingly referred to them as “little Houdinis,” acknowledging the horses’ knack for escapades.
In a heartwarming update shared on Facebook, the farm reported that both horses are on a steady path to recovery.
However, the post also humorously revealed plans to reinforce their pasture fencing to deter any future adventurous escapades, jokingly adding that the naughty horses “are grounded for the foreseeable future: no after-hours romps, girlfriends, cell phones, etc.”
Watch the video below:
Read more Wildlife News.
