Firefighters rescue horse trapped in Tinton Falls gully
After the horse was pulled out, it flipped over and then got up on its own.
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For the Tinton Falls Fire Company No. 1, some rescues are routine. But others, not so much.
The most recent one the department received along Shark River Road left everyone scratching their heads.
"We were just kind of thinking how we're going to get him out of a gully," said 1st Lt. Tyler Keefer.
What was stuck in the gully was a horse named Magik.
"We found a horse that was on its side, down the gully with its legs facing up in the incline. It has a fence against its back, and it was unable to roll over," said Chief Sara Weimer.
Officials say getting Magik back on all fours was the tricky part, especially because Magik has arthritis, according to the Monmouth County SPCA.
"We have these huge, kind of tripods that we can set up to make a leverage to kind of pick up the horse, but we figured since the horse is scared, he's not going be fond of being lifted up off the ground," said Keefer.
So, it was on to plan B.
Crews used infinity hooks and a grip hoist to pull the horse out of the gully. They then helped Magik onto his stronger side, where he was able to stand up.
It was an effort that brought in departments from Pine Brook and Tinton Falls and included help from the Monmouth County SPCA, the county's hazmat team and Tinton Falls Public Works.
It took less than an hour to get Magik out and back up four hooves.
"We have unexpected incidents sometimes. This was one of those. I'm very glad we were able to help. It was definitely a team effort...and we were able to help the horse," said Chief Weimer.
The Monmouth County SPCA says Magik is home with his owner and doing just fine.
First responders are using this rescue as a reminder that it's not just about saving lives but protecting them too.
