Everyone who has ever been to the ocean knows that it can be unpredictable.
One thing you should never underestimate is the tide, because if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, it can end badly.
The incoming tide can surprise people and animals, engulfing them in a short amount of time. And in some cases, it can lead to a slow, cruel death.
That almost happened to a horse named Astro.
Nicole Graham and her daughter were horseback riding on a Sunday afternoon on a beach in Geerlong, Australia, just outside Melbourne.
But after a while, the horses got stuck in soft terrain and the ground beneath them quickly turned into a muddy deadly trap.
Nicole helped her daughter and her horse escape, but her own horse, Astro, was stuck in the mud.
Astro quickly sank up to his neck in the mud, risking drowning.
Nicole spent three hours by Astro’s side in a fight for life and death.
Every time Astro panicked, he sank deeper into the mud.
The longer it took, the more desperate the situation became. I don’t even want to know what was going through Nicole’s mind…
After three hours in the mud, Astro not only risked drowning but also dying of thirst and exhaustion.
To make matters worse, the tide was rising.
Fortunately, Nicole’s daughter was able to reach solid ground and call for help.
Eventually, rescue workers and a veterinarian arrived on the scene to help.
It wouldn’t be easy, so the rescue workers acted quickly.
To ensure Astro didn’t waste any more energy panicking, the vet injected him with a tranquilizer.
Nicole stayed close to her beloved horse, speaking to him calmly as he received the injection.
A helicopter arrived to rescue Astro from the mud, but the horse was so deep in the mud that it was impossible to tie a rope around him to lift him up.
Astro was scared and exhausted, and Nicole feared the worst. The tide was rising, and if they didn’t get him out of the mud soon, Astro would drown.
The rescue team made one final, ultimate attempt: they started digging Astro out of the mud, but the ground was too soft.
A rescue worker compared the clay to quicksand and gave Astro little chance.
But then, a hero on four wheels appeared.
A nearby farmer on a tractor tried to get Astro out of the mud. It was the last chance, and worth a try.
Then, a miracle happened – Nicole, the rescue workers, and the farmer managed to get Astro out of the mud.
Watch the dramatic rescue below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG26cQPSlkM
Nicole has 10 horses and has never experienced anything like this, even though she has ridden horses on the beach countless times.
The story is a good reminder that it doesn’t hurt to be extra alert. But above all, it’s a sign that the bond between animals and humans can lead to miracles!
