This was the terrifying moment a brave young mother battled to keep her beloved horse calm as sea water closed in on the animal after he became trapped in mud ‘like quicksand’.
Exhausted and mud-splattered, Nicole Graham clung to her trapped horse Astro for three hours keeping his head high in a race against the tide.
‘Like quicksand’: Both Miss Graham and her horse were stuck up to their waists in the mud as the tide was closing in
Desperation: Nicole Graham comforts her 18-year-old show horse Astro after he gets stuck in coastal mud
Swallowed up: Astro was stuck fast and Miss Graham’s efforts to pull him free only resulted in herself sinking deeper into the quagmire
Miss Graham had been out on an afternoon ride with her daughter along the coast near Geelong, south of Melbourne, when 18-year-old Astro suddenly sank into the mud.
Before she could shout a warning, the smaller horse her daughter Paris was riding was also partially swallowed up by the mud.
After dragging herself through the mire, Miss Graham helped her daughter and the other horse on to firmer ground.
To the rescue: Vet Stacey Sullivan prepares to sedate Astro in a bid to get him out safely
Tidal terror: The brave mother tries to keep the horse calm as rescuers work how out to free the animal
Emotional: Miss Graham said it was heartbreaking to see her horse so exhausted and struggling
As Paris ran to their car and phoned for help, Miss Graham stayed at her horse’s side. She courageously clung on to his neck, terrified that he would not be freed before the tide came in.
Race against the tide: The water is seen getting closer to the horse as the group battles to free him
Stuck fast: Rescuers look for ways to free the stricken horse as time is slowly running out for him
Pulled free: Astro is dragged from the mud with the aid of a farmer’s tractor
‘We went straight down and under. There was mud everywhere and every time I moved it sucked me back down. It wouldn’t let us go.’
Sedated and exhausted: Astro collapses on the ground after he is pulled free of the mud, to the relief of rescuers
Saved: Vet Stacey Sullivan helps Astro to his feet as the effects of the sedation wear off
A local helicopter was put on standby as a last resort at pulling Astro from the mud.
It’s all over: Miss Graham leads her horses away from the beach after the traumatic rescue
Aftermath: Astro and Miss Graham are led to safety after the drama. The vet said the horse may not have made it had it not been for the efforts of his owner