Country Rescue

On a quiet morning

Cattle Guard Photo by Anita Untersee

Paul Hartcraft had his day all lined out when he turned onto the winding lane, right on time for his first appointment—a leaky septic tank. Two miles in, with not a soul in sight, he came across a white gelding blocking the road. As he got closer, he realized that the horse was trapped—both back hooves stuck fast in a cattle guard.

Another loose Paint horse was frantically prancing back and forth. When Paul jumped out of his truck to assess the situation, the Paint lunged at him, biting him hard on the shoulder.

It looked bad.

Real bad.

Meanwhile, Chuck was drinking coffee in front of a roaring fire, planning a conference call with his cinematographer, half a world away, when the desperate call for help came in. Our newest neighbor, Kristina, had been waiting for septic service when she heard the news and reached out to us.

Chuck knew it was life or death for the horse. Filled with dread, he approached from the other side of the cattleguard—where we live, near Kristina. The White horse was exhausted, legs bloodied from the struggle, looking like he might collapse at any moment.

Paul had no experience with horses, but he’d already run off the biting Paint and roused the teenager who owned the horses. He’d grown up dirt poor—by five years old he was tagging along with his Dad from job to job, installing septics, grading back roads, building fences.

He’d learned to work hard and think on his feet. He always carried tools on the
truck—and a gun, if need be.

Rescue in Progress Photo by Anita Untersee

Urgent first calls flew out first to our trusty horse trainer, Helen, busy feeding her 27 boarding horses and assorted cattle, for advice. Then, we proceeded to call all five large-animal vets in town—every one of them was out on calls, except “retired” Dr. King, a former Marine, who took on the challenge and headed our way.

In a brief lull, I called over to the hospital radiology department to put them on notice, I might not make my noon appointment. The nurse there completely understood, since her Dad and husband had once successfully rescued their horse, also caught in a cattle guard.

They had thrown a jacket over his head to keep him calm as while using a welding torch to cut him free. they didn’t have any horse tranquilizers on hand either…

Small world.

A Sheriff’s Deputy soon appeared on the scene. When I alerted my buddy, Frank Stead from the Fire Department, he called in my request for the “Jaws of Life”—the portable hydraulic tool the guys carry on their trucks. I’d pictured some massive crane-like thing, but this one was quiet and compact, battery operated.

Suddenly, there was a crowd of capable men calmly sizing up the situation, trying out different solutions. The teenager, Kaitlyn, visibly shaken, but following Chuck’s direction, fetched water for her horse. She hugged the beautiful white creature, whispering words of comfort and encouragement with tears running down her cheeks, while the men worked quietly and gently to free him.

It was still touch and go. A spooked horse could easily shear off the trapped hoof—we’d seen what that looks like.

With a piece of plywood laid over the front bars of the cattle guard, the White horse gingerly lifted one shaking, bloody leg free. He put no weight on it. No one dared voice the fear—was it broken?

Then, with a coordinated gentle tug forward on the halter and a steady push on his 800-pound frame from behind, the wounded gelding stepped free.

“Well Earned Smiles” Photo by Anita Untersee

A hushed cheer rose into pure exaltation. We all clapped with relief and happiness.

Just then Dr. King rolled up in his silver pickup and announced he felt like Custer at Little Big Horn! He checked the lucky horse as Kaitlyn led him to the pasture and pronounced him bloodied but able-bodied.

That day was a triumph—neighbors, the Sheriff’s Department, and Emergency Services coming together to save a life.

Because out here in the country, we love all God’s creations, big and small!