Horse recovers from injuries

By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Photo courtesy of DENISE ROSEN UP, UP AND AWAY-A horse is airlifted to safety after falling 300 feet down a canyon in Wildwood Park behind a T.O. water treatment facility. The horse is recovering, thanks to its rescue.

A horse that fell from a 300-foot cliff in Thousand Oaks continues to make a strong rcovery, thanks to the efforts of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR).

On Sun., June 13, three women went for a leisurely ride on their horses, following a mountain trail behind the Hill Canyon Water Treatment Facility in Thousand Oaks.

Sgt. Denise Rosen, who works at the Agoura Animal Shelter of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Control and Care, said that the group followed a popular path behind Wildwood Park. As they headed up the slim trail that edged a steep embankment, one horse slipped. The rider jumped off and watched in horror as her horse fell about 300 feet off the cliff.

According to Rosen, the rescue was a joint effort between the Ventura County and Los Angeles County fire departments, USAR and the Departmental Animal Rescue Team.

"The Ventura County Fire Department cut a trail, but the horse was unable to walk out due to his injuries," Rosen said. She added that the L.A. County Fire Department then stepped in because its USAR team had a sling to carry the horse to safety via helicopter.

"The horse is going to be fine," Rosen said. "It’s expected to make a full recovery."

   Apparently, USAR is using its new horse sling more frequently than expected. Rosen said that another incident happened about a month ago off Kanan Road near Troutdale. A horse fell into the canyon and had to be airlifted out. Amazingly, the animal also only suffered minor injuries. Within the last couple of months, two horses were rescued in Topanga Canyon, said Rosen.

"This is happening a lot," she said. She wondered if an adequate number of signs are posted about the dangers of riding horses near embankments.