Blind horse rescued from Colorado canal in harrowing ordeal

A blind horse named Lacy found herself stuck in a Colorado canal Saturday with water up to her shoulders, presenting something of a quandary not just for her but for local rescue officials.

Poudre Fire Authority firefighters were dispatched to the area in northeast Fort Collins for what turned out to be a three-hour rescue. The agency said a firefighter trained in swift-water and animal rescues got in the water and guided Lacy downstream to find banks that were not as steep.

“Lacy, already tired, did not have the strength to exit on her own even with assistance from the several firefighters on ropes. She laid down after a short attempt,” the release said.

Colorado State University veterinary staff and a UCHealth ambulance were also on site.

The responders comforted Lacy and provided a mild sedative. 

“The team carefully secured Lacy and connected her to the winch system on the front of the PFA brush unit then pulled her up the bank and safely to shore where the CSU medical team immediately checked vitals and began care,” the release said.

Although she had some cuts and scrapes on her legs, Lacy was able to stand once the sedative wore off and “seemed to quickly put the rescue behind her with the help of some fresh hay and loving strokes.”