Blind horse rescued from irrigation canal in Colorado

A 20-year-old blind horse that escaped from its corral and fell into a large irrigation canal was rescued from fast-moving waters at the end of a three-hour operation Saturday north of Fort Collins.

The effort required the cooperation of swiftwater rescue personnel, firefighters and veterinarians.

“Seeing her get back on her feet was a very happy moment for everyone,” said Annie Bierbower of the Poudre Fire Authority.

Clearly, judging by the way “Lacy” had collapsed on the canal bank from exhaustion, a happy ending was not a certainty.

Lacy is usually housed in a secure area, but escaped through “a series of bizarre events that resulted in her pen being compromised,” Bierbower said.

Firefighters were called at 9:52 a.m.

A firefighter trained in swift water rescue immediately jumped into the chest-deep water to put a halter on Lacy and calm her down. Still, the firefighter walked across the canal several times, Bierbower said. Lacy was given a mild sedative to reduce her panic.

At that point, a veterinarian advised her not to take the horse directly out of the water. Lacy then walked downstream and under a bridge. On the other side, the bank of the canal was less steep and she was able to walk out on her own.

But after one try, it was over, Bierbower said. Lacy leaned back against the shore and closed her eyes. The sedative may have contributed, but Bierbower believes Lacy was also exhausted from the struggle in the cold water.

The team set to work securing her with large straps, positioning them as directed by Colorado State University veterinarians. The straps were attached to a winch on one of the fire trucks. They placed Lacy on a large piece of tarp and dragged her to shore.

Once back on dry land, veterinarians immediately checked his vital signs and began treatment.

However, minutes later, Lacy was on her feet and responding to the fresh hay and compassionate pats.

Lacy suffered cuts and scrapes on her legs, but is otherwise unharmed.