Video: Tualatin Firefighters Rescue Clydesdale From Mud Pit

ALOHA, OR - Tualatin Valley firefighters spent more than four hours rescuing an 1,800 pound Clydesdale horse from a mud pit today. The rescue hit close to home for the firefighters because the horse, named Windsor, is part of a team that pulls a historic fire engine in local parades.

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue responded to a home along McInnis Lane in Aloha around 11 a.m. and found Windsor lying on his side in a mud pit. Windsor was suffering from hypothermia, the department said, and did not have enough energy to stand on his own.

The firefighters hooked up a series of pulleys and ropes to pull Windsor out of the pit, and then began warming him up with heating equipment. After about 45 minutes, Windsor was strong enough to stand on his own. As of Thursday night, Windsor was doing well, the department said.

Windsor is, in some respects, an honorary firefighter. He is a member of the Beaverton McInnis Classic Clydesdale team, which pulls the Forest Grover Fire Department's 1907 engine in local parades.

Tualatin Valley firefighters were assisted by veterinarians Dr. Cecile Coulon and Dr. Cierra Dedeker, and veterinary assistant Shelby VanSlander.

Here's a video from the scene of the rescue:

Images via Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue