Horse rescued from swamp area

The horse and its female rider started sinking and became trapped during low-tide at around 1pm.

Crews originally tried using hoses to free the horse then digging, but neither worked. CFA members worked amid increasing pressure with high afternoon temperatures and the risk of the evening tide coming in.

Eventually a tractor was sourced and an equine sling from Werribee Zoo attached and the animal was able to be successfully released two hours after it became stuck.

The unusual rescue saw crews avoid using sirens when arriving on scene so they didn’t spook the horse.

The rider was taken to Werribee hospital for a check-up and a vet examined the horse at the scene.