A horse went off of its normal trail and had to be pulled out of a muddy 5-foot ditch in Montgomery County Sunday afternoon.
Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded to a call for Leroy, a 21-year-old horse, going off the trail near the entrance to Poole's Store on Old River Road in Poolesville. They found the animal standing at the bottom of the ditch, stuck in deep mud.
Authorities say Leroy walked along the trail around 2 p.m. when he slipped and fell into a ravine 5-feet on one side and 10 on the other.
The Days End Animal Rescue group were called to the scene with some special rescue equipment: a belt which was slung around the horse's midsection to help it force free of the quagmire. Fortunately for all concerned, the equine adventurer managed to do just that after nearly one hour of entrapment.
Authorities say the horse was able to stand and walk on his own and appears to be okay.
The rider of the horse was not injured.
