Rescue team saves horse stuck in well

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department successfully rescued an unlikely accident victim Sunday afternoon after a horse fell into an old well at Ashtola.

First Assistant Chief Jeremy Powell said the 17-year-old gray horse probably fell into well on Saturday when the animal’s owners, Gerald and Linda Findley, noticed it was missing.

“They couldn’t find it Saturday and then discovered it Sunday morning,” Powell said.

The horse had gotten through a small fence around the old well at the abandoned Ashtola School and fallen through the wood and sheet metal cover and into an enclosure that was about eight feet by eight feet and ten feet deep.

“The cover was probably plenty adequate… until you put a 1200-pound horse on it,” Powell said.
The horse was calm and had only suffered a few scrapes and scratches when emergency personnel arrive after 10:30 Sunday morning.

After studying the situation, Powell said they “hatched a plan” and called Neil Koetting who sent his son, Seth, with a boom truck, and neighbors Jody and Jason Green brought some equipment.

“We made some tow ropes and lifted him out, and he went on his merry way,” Powell said. “I think he was given some antibiotics as a precaution, but he did not require treatment at the veterinary clinic.”

Jody Green was impressed with the response of the fire department.

“They did a fabulous job, and I have to hand it to them,” she said.

Also responding to this call were the Donley County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Public Safety.