Miniature Horse Rescued from Well, Animal Services Works with Firefighters to Save Animal

Multiple agencies teamed up to rescue a miniature horse that had fallen into a well on Friday night east of Lake Elsinore.

Firefighters from CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, officers and veterinary staffers from Riverside County Animal Services and the Riverside City Fire Department’s Heavy Animal Rescue Team joined forces to save the animal, a 12-year-old female named Butter.

The horse crashed through a plywood-covered well in the unincorporated area of Warm Springs, east of Lake Elsinore and north of the city of Canyon Lake. Although the approximately 350-pound horse fell initially about 15 feet, the well was actually 60 feet in depth after water was siphoned. The rescue efforts started early Friday (Nov. 1) afternoon and ended at about 10 p.m.

Rescuers initially feared such a drop would have killed or severely injured the horse. However, once rescuers raised the horse out of the well, Dr. Itzel Vizcarra of Riverside County Animal Services examined it on site and determined the horse didn’t appear to have any serious injuries.

Butter is back with her owner.

Firefighters wrapped an Anderson sling around the horse and she was safely hoisted up using a front-loader. Butter was sedated prior to takeoff.  

“We were all amazed she came out without any major trauma,” Dr. Vizcarra said. “This was a huge team effort by many rescuers, so it’s uplifting to learn Butters will be OK.”

Dr. Vizcarra said she was concerned about the possibility of hypothermia. Her colleagues dried Butter and wrapped her with a heavy blanket. She also treated the horse’s wounds and injected pain medication.

“She was visibly shaking while still strapped,” she said. “It’s astounding that she walked away fine the same day.”

Animal Services has worked with both Riverside County Fire Department firefighters and with H.A.R.T. members on training exercises in years past. Animal Services also trains regularly with the Norco Animal Rescue Team (N.A.R.T.)

“It was great to put all those training sessions to good, practical use on a real event,” said Lt. Kyle Stephens, who participated in the efforts on Friday. “This was definitely a great team effort by all those involved.”

The owner was told to take Butter to his own veterinarian for a follow-up examination, which he did do. Animal Services officer Lupe Villa followed up with the owner and visited Butter to check up on the animal’s status. Butter appeared to be doing great, the officer reported.

Riverside City Fire Division Chief Tony Perna praised the efforts.

“The Riverside City Fire Department Technical Rescue Team takes pride in supporting local animal rescue efforts,” Perna said. “Our department’s Heavy Animal Rescue Team is dedicated to collaborating with neighboring jurisdictions to enhance our rescue operations, expand training opportunities and strengthen our capabilities.”