Firefighters helped rescue a horse that had wandered into a pond at a farm and got stuck in the muddy water near McHenry Tuesday afternoon, fire officials said.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 12:58 p.m. Tuesday to 4401 West McCullom Lake Road in unincorporated McHenry for a citizen assist call.
Fire officials said they received the call for assistance from Hickory Creek Farm.
Firefighters arrived to find a horse that had wandered approximately 20-30 feet offshore into a pond.
The horse became stuck in the mud in the water and was unable to get out, fire officials said.
Additional firefighters were called to the scene to assist in the rescue.
Firefighters used a sling and rope system attached to a skid steer to carefully extricate the horse from the water.
The operation was completed successfully and the horse was removed without injury.
“We commend the coordinated efforts of all involved in ensuring a safe and positive outcome,” the fire district said.
Police were called to direct traffic on McCullom Lake Road during the incident, which lasted just under an hour.