A horse trapped deep in a South Korean mudflat was rescued just before rising water could turn the frightening situation deadly.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the animal was stuck near Gohon Port in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, and was unable to move.
What happened?
On the morning of August 11, the horse's owner alerted the Pyeongtaek Coast Guard that the animal was trapped in mud near the port.
Responding officers first cleared mud from around the horse, then used a rope to pull it free.
Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the horse was freed roughly 40 minutes after the report came in. The tide had already started to rise.
"We're relieved that neither the horse nor any of the people involved were hurt," a Coast Guard official said. "When engaging in activities on mudflats or coastal areas, please check tide schedules and your route in advance and stay mindful of safety."
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Earlier that morning, the horse had been taken to a nearby island accessible only at low tide. During the return trip, the rider fell off; the startled animal ran toward the mudflat and became stuck as the water started to recede.
Why does it matter?
With the water advancing while the horse remained stuck, any delay in the rescue could have led to it drowning.
Mudflats that seem passable at low tide can quickly become dangerous as the water returns and the soft ground makes movement difficult.
Rescues like this drive home the environmental dangers that can exist along coastlines and the importance of being aware of your surroundings and the tide in places like this. While this particular rescue had a happy ending, not all of them do, and a person who gets caught in the mudflats as the tide comes in could very quickly find themselves in a dangerous situation.
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