Stranded Horses Close To Freedom, But More Manpower Needed

Sunday, December 21, 2008 08:14 PM

Two horses in the Renshaw snowmobiling area northwet of McBride, are the subject of a rescue effort that has people digging through 7 feet of snow. ( photo courtesy www.snowandmud.com)

McBride BC- A group of snowmobilers from as far east as Edmonton in Alberta are hoping to have dug a 2 kilometre trench out of seven feet of snow to allow two horses that have been stranded in an area 17 kilometres up the McKale Forest Rd . As of Sunday night volunteers have been able to dig a trench as they move the horses along the trail to an area where they would be able to walk them to safety.

The area is popular for snowmobilers from both sides of the B.C. border and the plight of these animals came up when one of the snowmobilers discovered them in the snowbound bush.

They reported it to others, including Dale Mason head of the Robson Valley Search and Rescue, and from there the effort expanded.

"The whole process" says Mason "started less than a week ago and everyone in the snowmobile fraternity is being asked to take an hour or two to dig in the trench to free the horses. Some of my guys have been up there a couple of times already working in temperatures of -38 to -40. It has warmed up there a bit so they are now only working in temperatures of about -15 to -17."

The SPCA showed up on the weekend but told the rescuers that they should not try and tranquilize the two horses to have them flown out because of their condition they are unlikely to survive the tranquilizing.

Snow mobilers have been hauling hay and blankets up the horses and bringing them water for the past few days. Mason says his crew tells him that the horses started out with their ears flat on their heads, but today they are now holding the ears upwards.

The rescuers have about 1/2 of a kilometre to go and then they will be free to move the horses to a safe area.

Mason says it is unbelievable just how much effort the people who ride snowmobiles have put into this effort. "Can you imagine digging a trench two kilometres long through seven feet of snow? That is sheer determination."

Dean Schreiber says he took some more hay for the two horses today and he said “I believe they have enough hay for other six or so days”. "We have dug about ½ kilometre so far and we need to go another ½ a kilometre to get these animals out."

Schreiber says they need more volunteers "We were down to eight people digging Sunday and we need more volunteers. We had four on one side of the trench and another four on the other side.

Schreiber says that a snow blower, helicopter and a host of other ways to get the horses down to a road that they can walk out on has been explored. "The terrain is such that we can’t use a snow blower and we can’t get equipment to the area, we are stuck with snow shovels to do the job."

"We have had some people come to the area to help but they don’t have sleds and we need people who have snow machines in order to get to the area were the digging must take place."

The snow mobile clubs in the area have started a fund for the horses but they say the first job is to finish the trench, which will take more volunteers, so they can get them out of the area.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 08:14 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: sledhead on December 21 2008 8:50 PM

Thank you Ben for providing the story so quickly. It is so unfortunate that these horses were just left on the mountain to suffer such an unimaginable cruel death. Kudos to all the people that are helping with the rescue efforts, and the donations. I really hope this story has a happy ending... it would make Christmas all the more brighter.

Posted by: Ravensnook on December 21 2008 9:42 PM

Obviously the need for more people digging out here is great. A few corrections though so as not to scare too many people off-the trench to be dug is about 1km in length, however be prepared to ride in approximately 25 kms on a groomed trail. The weather has been chilly, but it's warming up. Also, the only way in is by snowmachine, but if you are willing to come and help dig but don't have your own ride you can always try your luck at the staging area for a ride with someone else-bring your own shovel though-the more the merrier. The SPCA is requesting people check in at Spindrift Sports in McBride to let them know that the're going up to help. It's all about perseverance-to learn more about what's happening check out the snowandmud.com website, scroll down to the McBride Riding Area forum, and look for the thread " Horse Rescue up the Renshaw." A happy ending is in sight.

Posted by: NMG on December 21 2008 11:18 PM

A BIG kudos to everyone involved in this effort! Stories like this are what makes me proud to live in our area.

Posted by: Eagleone on December 22 2008 6:10 AM

Great story for Christmas. Hopefully it has a happy ending... and a bit of free promo for McBride and their winter industry.

Posted by: midnight on December 22 2008 9:21 AM

Cheers to everyone that has helped with this rescue, they are doing a great job !!
I do hope the horses get out alright.
I do hope the owner that left them there gets charged with animal cruelty, there is no excuse for just dumping your horses off in the bush.
Good luck to everyone involved in the rescue !!!

Posted by: trudy on December 22 2008 9:30 AM

This kind of story warms my heart. Is there anything us non snowmobilers can do? I love horses and would love to help, the story mentioned a fund, is there a direct link somewhere or an address, or a bank?

Posted by: sledhead on December 22 2008 9:45 AM

Yes, Trudy there is a PAYPAL account set up for the rescue of these horses. Go to http://www.snowandmud.com and there is a link on the left hand side about half way down. I believe the donations are sitting at $1315 right now.

Posted by: northman on December 22 2008 12:31 PM

Fund raising idea.. Public stoning (instead of stones use frozen horse s$%t!!) of the people who left these animals up there. $5.00 per ticket.

Posted by: robichal on December 22 2008 12:37 PM

I would absolutely love to help dig these poor souls out...I'm unable but I am going to donate something from the above link. God bless those sledders who found these animals! Something very good should happen to them! How did these horses get into this predicament? Were they abandoned and left to starve/freeze to death?? If someone left them to die they should be shot in the knee caps and slowly tortured to death! Sickos!!!! Hope they burn in hell for all eternity!

Posted by: sledhead on December 22 2008 2:05 PM

It just goes to show you that the sledding community will go far and above to help when called upon....the story goes that a hunter from Edmonton came out to the Renshaw to go hunting and the horses somehow got stuck in the muskeg (supposedly 3 horses). He left them but later came back later in the season to catch them but found them too thin and emaciated so he didn't bother with them. He left them there to die. Some sledders discovered them and now the rescue efforts are underway. The SPCA is involved but who knows what's going to come of this.....

Posted by: robichal on December 22 2008 2:30 PM

So the story goes..."robichal hunts the hunters down and tortures them and leaves them to die because she just couldn't be bothered w/ them!" Who does this crap? They/he/she could have at least put them down i.e. bullet in the head rather than leave them to suffer! Some people just don't deserve to live!