Oregon horse rescued from 15-foot hole

[September 10, 2009]  ESTACADA, Ore. (AP) -- Sylvia the draft horse knows how to handle a hairy situation -- especially if there's hay involved.

The 2,400-pound horse was walking on an earthen dam between two ponds Monday on her owner's property near Estacada, in northwest Oregon, when the ground gave way and she dropped into a 15-foot hole.

Sylvia's owner, Vicki McDade, called 911, then tossed some hay into the hole to distract the 18-year-old horse while a veterinarian administered a sedative. Estacada firefighters wrapped straps around Sylvia's front legs and head, and used a farm tractor to lift her from the hole.

McDade says Sylvia took the ordeal in stride: "When they were pulling her out, she was still trying to eat the hay."

She says Sylvia has a swollen eye and a few scrapes but is otherwise OK.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com/

[Associated Press]

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