Watch Sunny The Horse Airlifted From Sunland Hillside

SUNLAND, CA — A horse that became stranded down a steep hillside in Sunland Friday morning responded by going limp, posing a challenge to firefighters trying to lead off the hillside.

In the end, firefighters used a helicopter to hoist Sunny, a 30-year-old male horse, to safety.

Shortly before 7 a.m.,the Los Angeles Fire Department rescuers were called t to the 11300 block of North Oro Vista Avenue where they found Sunny conserving his energy. Apparently, the old horse wasn't injured, but he was lying on the ground, and efforts to help him to his feet were unsuccessful, the LAFD reported.

A helicopter was brought in, a veterinarian medicated Sunny, and the 800- to 900-pound horse was airlifted on a sling about 10 a.m. to safe ground, where he was to be examined.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.