Horse rescued from collapsed cistern by Montgomery County fire crews

BURTONSVILLE, Md. - A horse was rescued at a Montgomery County farm, officials say, after it became trapped in an old cistern.

Montgomery County Fire officials say they were called to the 4700 block of Sandy Spring Road in Burtonsville Sunday morning for a horse that was stuck in what believed to be a sinkhole.

Investigators say they found a 2000-pound horse trapped up to its neck in a hole made by a collapsed cistern.

Montgomery County Fire spokesman Pete Piringer said crews were able to get the horse out safely after digging a trench in the area beside where the horse was trapped.

A veterinarian, as well as Frederick County fire Animal Technical Rescue were on-scene to assist.

Piringer posted several videos of the rescue team's efforts on Twitter.

A Bobcat was brought in to assist with the digging and several crew members dug with shovels. The horse was blindfolded to prevent further anxiety and stress.

Rescuers were able to break through a portion of the old cistern and the horse was able to leap out safely. Officials say the horse appears to be okay.