Animal Response Team, EFD rescue local horse

Willow, an 800-pound mare, fell into a hole underneath a partially-collapsed bridge.

By Ray Miller-Still • January 13, 2026 2:00 pm
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The Washington State Animal Response Team, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to responding to disasters and emergency situations involving domesticated livestock and companion animals, began in Enumclaw in 2007. Pictured here are volunteers and EFD firefighters rescuing Willow. Photo courtesy Washington State Animal rescue Team
The Washington State Animal Response Team, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to responding to disasters and emergency situations involving domesticated livestock and companion animals, began in Enumclaw in 2007. Pictured here are volunteers and EFD firefighters rescuing Willow. Photo courtesy Washington State Animal rescue Team

The Enumclaw Fire Department and the Washington State Animal Response Team rescued a local horse late Monday night.

According to WASART, an 800-pound Arabian mare named Willow escaped her pasture and became trapped in underneath a partially-collapsed bridge nearby.

Not only was she stuck in the hole, but a wooden and steel beam was pressing into her abdomen – and when rescues crews were assessing the situation, Willow began to thrash, both sliding down further into the hole and increasing the pressure the beam was placing on her rib cage, making breathing difficult, a WSART Facebook post reads.

A vet was able to sedate the horse before the rescue operation began with crews using two separate haul systems to independently move Willow’s front and back ends independently to lift and reposition her.

Other first responders worked to keep her head protected, monitor her breathing, and, when the time came to bring her off the haul system, put hay bales under her hooves to give her stable footing so she could extricate herself out of the hole.

WSART said she was sedated a second time so the harnesses and straps could be safely removed, and then was given IV fluids and a medical assessment.

“She was sore and stiff, but alert, breathing comfortably, and showing no signs of major injury,” the non-profit, all-volunteer organization posted on Facebook. “Within minutes, she was able to stand and walk on her own into a nearby arena — an incredible outcome considering the situation she started in.”

WSART thanked both EFD and Dr. Ramona Tingdale of Equine Veterinarian for their assistance in this rescue.

Photo courtesy Washington State Animal Response Team

Photo courtesy Washington State Animal Response Team

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