Horse, Rider Freed From Muddy Santa Ana Riverbed: Cal Fire

EASTVALE, CA—Over the weekend, a horse and rider became trapped in the muddy riverbed of Eastvale, requiring rescue. Combined efforts of Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and Norco's large animal rescue team saw all were freed.

On Sunday, just after 1:30 p.m., fire and sheriff's department deputies searched the 2700 block of Shadow Canyon Circle for a horse and missing rider after responding to a call about the distressed horse in Eastvale.

Emergency responders located the rider just after 4:14 p.m., though the horse remained trapped in the mud at that time, a spokesperson for Cal Fire said.

A sheriff's helicopter, assisted by Norco's Animal Rescue Team, hoisted the exhausted horse from the riverbed around 6:45 p.m.

Firefighters and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department helicopter took the horse to a location where it will receive food and medical care on Monday.