Last Saturday, a horse found itself in a precarious situation on Culleoka Highway in Maury County. The animal, entrapped against an immovable rock inside a draining ditch, initiated a coordinated response from multiple agencies. The Maury County Fire Department was first to arrive on the scene at 09:48 a.m., as per their report posted to their Facebook page, with the Williamson County Fire Large Animal Rescue Team and a local heavy equipment operator following closely behind.
The rescue operation proved to be a challenge. Despite several attempts by the rescuers, the horse would not stand and exit the ditch on its own. Thus, necessitating the expertise of Williamson County Fire's rescue team and their animal harness. An excavator from Little’s Excavating, under the direction of owner Whitt Little, was pivotal. It crafted a path for the horse's eventual exit after arriving only 15 minutes post call,
According to Maury County Fire Department's release, the rescue operation reached its successful conclusion one hour and 15 minutes after the first responders' arrival. With the harness securely in place, rescuers managed to lift the entrapped horse from its rocky confine. The horse, albeit exhausted, was laid down to rest before it regained the strength to stand. Remarkably, the veterinarian on site confirmed that the horse sustained no injuries during the ordeal.
Special thanks were given to Little’s Excavating and Whitt Little for their expedient and delicate work, ensuring the horse's safety. Steve Davis, who also assisted in the rescue effort, was acknowledged by the department for his contribution. Involved in the dramatic rescue aside from the Maury County Fire Department were: the Maury County Sheriff's Department, the Maury County Office Of Emergency Management, and Williamson County Fire/Rescue, forming what they referred to as #TeamMaury on their social media statement.
