LAKE ELSINORE, California – Time was of the essence to save Butter.

The 12-year-old miniature horse was trapped in a treacherous 60-foot well, and her desperate cry for help rang out California rural landscape. Riverside County Lifeguards it was initially feared that such a drop would have killed or seriously injured the horse.

Meet the miracle horse, Butter.

(Riverside County Animal Services)

Firefighters from CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, along with animal control officers and veterinary experts, ran to the scene east of Lake Elsinore in the unincorporated area of ​​Warm Springs last Friday afternoon.

The 350-pound horse had plunged 15 feet into the darkness, but the true depth of the well was hidden beneath the murky water.

Butter tumbled 15 feet through a plywood covered well.

(Riverside County Animal Services)

Firefighters were able to secure Butter with specialized harnesses while animal control officers calmed the shaking animal. By nightfall, Butter finally emerged from the well as a collective sigh of relief washed over the exhausted rescue team.

“It was great to put all those training sessions to good, hands-on use in a real event,” said Lt. Kyle Stephens, who participated in the rescue efforts. “This was definitely a great team effort by everyone involved.”

The rescue began on the afternoon of Friday 1 November and ended at around 10pm

(Riverside County Animal Services)

Riverside County Animal Services veterinarian Dr. Itzel Vizcarra rushed to examine Butter, and the news was better than anyone dared hope.

“We were all amazed that he got out without any major trauma,” Vizcarra said. “This was a huge team effort by many rescuers, so it’s encouraging to know Butters is going to be OK.”

Vizcarra said she was concerned about the possibility of hypothermia. Her colleagues dried Butter and wrapped her in a heavy blanket. She also treated the horse’s wounds and injected pain medication.

“She was visibly shaking when she was still tied up,” she said. “It’s amazing that he left well on the same day.”

Butter is now back with her owner and was immediately taken to her regular vet.

(Riverside County Animal Services)

Butter is a real miracle, her care team said. She’s back now home with her owner and still defying expectations with her speedy recovery.