IPSWICH — Fire Chief Paul Parisi and Police Chief Paul Nikas report that the Ipswich Fire and Police Departments responded Friday to an incident in which a horse got stuck in a drainage swale.
On Friday, Jan. 31, at approximately 12:09 p.m., Ipswich Communications received a report of a horse that was stuck in a drainage swale at 6 Mill Road.
Ipswich Police, Ipswich Animal Control and Ipswich Fire responded, and located a 31-year-old horse on its back in the swale with its legs in the air. The horse was not able to right itself.
Ipswich Fire Lt. Brett Emerson assumed command of the scene, and conferred with the property owner and horse owner. Lt. Emerson requested assistance from the Ipswich Department of Public Works and the Northeast Technical Rescue Team, and also called in an off-duty shift of Ipswich firefighters to provide additional manpower. A veterinarian from Back Stretch Veterinary also assisted at the scene.
The horse was sedated, and rescuers were able to get an extrication sheet with handles and slings specially made for horses under the animal. Rescuers were then able to pull the horse up and out of the swale.
Once the sedation wore off, the horse was able to stand under his own power and shortly thereafter walked back to his stable.
“This incident is another great example of rescuers and our partners in the equestrian world working together,” Fire Chief Paul Parisi said. “Special thanks goes to the Northeast Technical Rescue Team for their assistance in this operation.”
