Sylmar, Los Angeles, CA: A horse was rescued Sunday evening after getting stuck in a gap on what appeared to be a trail on hillside terrain.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a trapped horse “on its side, stuck in a narrow wedge” just after 5:00 p.m., May 7, in the 14500 block of Olive View Drive in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles within the San Fernando Valley. The 911 call was received just after 4:34 p.m., according to LAFD.

It was not immediately known if the horse was injured but the rider was not injured. Firefighters began to utilize shovels as LAFD Air OPs worked on a back-up plan. LAFD assessed a number of options to determine the best approach to free the horse, according to the department.

LAFD notified L.A. Animal Services “Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team ISMART) for assistance.

Personnel anticipated the incident to last several hours. The horse was inverted in the gap while firefighters dug out the area, trying to get the horse onto its side, according to LAFD.

By 5:42 p.m., LAFD reported the rescue was completed. The rescue effort moved along faster than initially estimated as crews worked together with a horse rescue specialist from L.A. Animal Services SMART. They were able to quickly dig out and get the horse on its side and then upright, reported LAFD.

The freed horse dramatically emerged from the ground sending several fire personnel scrambling for safety. The horse appeared to be uninjured and was walked out after the ordeal.

No further details are available.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN

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