A blind 30-year-old horse is recovering after becoming stuck in a dam overnight at Blaxlands Ridge.
Hawkesbury State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers were called to the scene about 6.30am today (Thursday) where the blind mare, Felicia, was stuck surrounded by thick weeds.
"[She was] having difficulty holding her head up and out of the water," a Hawkesbury SES statement said.
One rescue operator donned a wet suit and entered the water to support Felicia's head until a vet from Hawkesbury Equine Veterinary Centre arrived.
"Once assessed and sedated, the team dragged the mare across to the shore, and rigged her to be hauled up a very steep embankment surrounding the dam," the statement said.
"The horse was carefully skidded up the steep slope on our large rigid plastic sheets (Rescue Glide) ensuring the horse wasn't injured by pulling it over the dry, rough ground."
Hawkesbury SES Controller Kevin Jones said the operation was a success.
"It was a bit of a wrestle to get her out, it was a long way up and quite steep coming out of the dam," he told the Gazette.
"She wasn't really wanting to walk when we got her out, but she was alright in the end."
Felicia was eventually taken up to her stable to recover, he said.
