One of the benefits of having a small dog is that you can pick them up if they are ever getting too rowdy or scared. A chihuahua basically fits in your back pocket and is easy to pacify you need them to chill! A mastiff, however? Not so easy. The bigger the animal, the header it is to physically handle. What happens when you need to move a LITERAL horse with your bare hands? This is that story!
Of all the horses, Clydesdales are probably the largest.
This massive breed of horse is from Scotland and it is what you typically see pulling fancy carriages and in the famous beer commercials.
The Clydesdale averages 17 to 18 hands (68 to 72 inches [173 to 183 cm]) tall and 2,000 pounds (900 kg) in weight. The colour is usually bay, dark brown, or black, with prominent white markings. Noted for its high leg action while walking or trotting, the breed is characterized by feather (long hair) on the legs, attractive heads, and well-formed legs and feet. – Brittanica
Imagine having to save two Clydesdales from a river!
Gunther and Wilhelm are two Clydesdale draft horses that live at the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm in Pennsylvania. The two horses ended up escaping from their field and went on a little journey. That adventure turned dangerous when the two horses attempted to cross an icy river.
A nearby neighbor saw the houses floundering in the water and called for help.
The neighbor spotted the two horses with his binoculars and was able to call for help. Soon, firefighters arrived on the scene to help with the rescue. The horses were neck-deep in icy water and needed to be pulled out. The only problem was that the horses were 1,500 pounds apiece!
Thinking on their feet, they enacted a plan.
Instead of trying to lift the horses above the water and ice, they thought it might be better to cut their way to the shore. The rescuers pulled out some chainsaws and started getting to work cutting away the ice to make a path that the horses could follow. Slowly but surely they made progress and were able to lead the horses to the shoreline.
While they were out of the water, they weren’t yet out of danger.
Being in the water that long had allowed hypothermia to set in. When the town heard about the problem, they decided to help! As the horses made it to shore, people tossed heated blankets on them to keep them warm!
“With the dedication of Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder, Stroud Township Fire Company, Shawnee Fire Company, Wind Gap Fire Company, Northeast Search and Rescue, Portland PA Fire Company, Cross River Veterinarians, Quiet Valley Staff and Volunteers, and countless neighbors lending boats and towels the horses were rescued,” posted the farm.
They were cold and wet and had a few scrapes, but are expected to make a full recovery.
With the help of the entire neighborhood, the horses were totally fine. The horses, however, are in some SERIOUS trouble! The farm already started construction on a double fence and the two escapees have been grounded for the foreseeable future.
Check out the video below!
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Two Clydesdales fall through ice on a frozen lake More
ICE RESCUE: Firefighters in eastern Pennsylvania helped save two Clydesdales that fell into a frozen lake after escaping from a historic farm.Crews cut a path to guide the horses out of icy water. The two draft horses, named Gunther and Wilhelm, are both recovering and will be alright, caretakers say. https://abcn.ws/2SFJDwK
Posted by ABC News on Sunday, February 17, 2019
