MARRUM, Netherlands – A herd of horses marooned on a lowland knoll for three days by rising floodwaters waded to safety on Friday, led by wranglers following an underwater path marked out by half-submerged stakes.
The horses were neck deep at times and had to swim at some spots, especially the foals. But they began to canter as they neared the edge of the brackish water, and burst into a gallop once they reached solid land, apparently relieved at being able to stretch their legs.
The plight of the herd of about 100 horses has gripped the Netherlands since a storm surge Tuesday night pushed sea water into the wilderness area outside the dikes of Marrum, a town 90 miles northeast of Amsterdam. Before they could be saved, 19 of the horses drowned or died of exposure. Several rescued by boat earlier in the week have contracted lung infections.
With support from rescue workers on the knoll and a chain of small boats indicating the route, the four young women on horseback – riders from the town’s Cavalry Club – on Friday guided the remaining animals about 650 yards to higher ground. All but one horse followed them without hesitation.
“It worked, and it went off almost perfectly,” said Jacob Prins, a firefighter from the nearby town of Hallum who helped in the operation.
The remaining horse was led back later, escorted by firefighters on foot. They needed to attach a rope to its hindquarters to compel it to walk the final stretch. It collapsed after reaching shore, and was covered by blankets and attended by veterinarians.
Prins said the horse that collapsed was taken to a warm stall, where it was expected to make a full recovery.
“It was just exhausted,” he said.
Associated Press
A herd of horses is safe on the mainland near Marrum, Netherlands, on Friday.
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