Horse Rescued from Santa Ana River After Nearly 24-Hour Ordeal

A collaborative effort by emergency services successfully airlifted Conquistador, a horse stranded in mud, to safety.

Conquistador the horse was airlifted to safety after being stuck in the Santa Ana River for nearly 24 hours.
The rescue operation involved CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, and the City of Norco Animal Rescue Team.
The horse became stranded after getting spooked and running away from its owner during a ride along the river.
Despite the challenging conditions, the horse was successfully extricated from the mud and, though exhausted, is expected to fully recover.
The incident has prompted warnings about the dangers of flash floods and the importance of heeding weather warnings near rivers.