Woman battles for 3 hours to save her stuck horse from rising tide

Newspix via Rex USA

Nicole Graham holds her horse Astro's head above the rising tide after he got stuck in the mud.

This is a truly amazing tale that involves a woman, a horse, and a group of dedicated rescuers on a beach in Australia.
A woman was out for an afternoon ride with her daughter when her horse suddenly sunk neck deep into the thick mud of Avalon Beach in Geelong, Victoria. What followed, reports Newspix, was a grueling three-hour rescue caught in photos. As Nicole Graham held the head of 18-year-old Astro from drowning in the rising tide, members of the fire department, emergency services, and a vet attempted to free the 1,100-pound horse. First they tried using fire hoses, then a winch. Making little progress, the vet, Stacey Sullivan, sedated him so that he could be pulled out with a tractor.
Throughout it all, Graham stayed waist high in the mud, calming the horse through every attempt and holding his nose above the water. Luckily they were able to pull him clear before the tide came in.
See the incredible rescue unfold in these photos.

Newspix via Rex USA

Members of the fire department and the emergency services try to free the 1,100 pound horse with fire hoses, then a winch. Making little progress, vet Stacey Sullivan decides to sedate him and pull him clear with a tractor.

Newspix via Rex USA

Astro tries to pull himself out of the mud after his front legs are clear.

Newspix via Rex USA

Headed home! Graham and the rescuers lead Astro away from the beach after he was finally freed of the mud.

— This was posted by TODAY.com producer Lisa Granshaw. She loves seeing animal stories with happy endings!