We received a call about an 800-pound Arabian mare named Willow who had become trapped beneath a partially collapsed bridge in Enumclaw.
After escaping her pasture, Willow fell into a hole nearly 6 feet deep, where a large wooden and steel beam was pressing against her abdomen. The Enumclaw Fire Department was already on scene and had requested our assistance. We deployed our Technical Rescue Team along with our equipment truck and trailer.
As we arrived on scene and were assessing the situation, Willow began thrashing to try to free herself and slid farther down, increasing pressure from the beam against her rib cage and making breathing difficult.
To protect her from further harming herself, the veterinarian sedated Willow. With her calmer, we brought a tractor down to the edge of the hole to use as a secure anchor point. We set up two separate haul systems to move her front and back ends independently, with controlled movement. This allowed us to lift and reposition her to take the pressure off her body.
While some of us operated the rigging, others stayed at Willow’s side protecting her head, monitoring her breathing, padding the beam, and carefully repositioning her legs. We placed hay bales under her hooves to give her stable footing and keep her from sliding back down into the hole as we slowly released tension from the rescue ropes and let her body settle into a safer position.
As the pressure eased and her breathing improved, Willow’s sedation began to wear off. With her feet now underneath her and something solid to push against, she tried to stand again. Willow pushed herself upright and began climbing out of the hole, clearing the edge with her front legs. With encouragement and coordinated guidance from the haul team, Willow was able to bring her hind legs over the edge and her body fully out of the hole. Once free, she was shaky and exhausted, and the rescue straps were still around her legs. For everyone’s safety, the veterinarian sedated her a second time so we could carefully remove the straps without her panicking or injuring herself.
After a short rest, Willow received IV fluids and a medical assessment. She was sore and stiff, but alert, breathing comfortably, and showing no signs of major injury. Within minutes, she was able to stand and walk on her own into a nearby arena — an incredible outcome considering the situation she started in.
Thank you to the Enumclaw Fire Department, Dr. Tingdale for the skilled veterinary care, and every responder who helped Willow back to safety.
WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. There is never a charge for our rescues. For more information about us, please visit wasart.org
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