Horse’s near-death run-in with rural septic tank

BY ROSEMARY SMITH,Examiner editor

It is said that firemen never know what to expect when they respond to an emergency call. That was definitely the case when Bedias volunteer firemen had to jump into a septic tank full of sewage to rescue a mare that had fallen in, and remained trapped for over two hours, on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Horse owners Yvonne Lindsey and Bobby Villemonte called the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office for help at 11:30 p.m. When Deputy Mindy Grubb arrived on scene, 22 minutes later, the two were standing near the horse inside the septic tank, trying to break up the fiberglass lid with shovels and dig around the horse to free her.

They claimed to have been working on their unfruitful task for over an hour. The deputy reported that though most of the septic lid had been removed, the horse was still trapped, with its head just above the sewage.

“The horse had its front legs out on the ground, but did not have the strength to get out,” said the deputy.

The Bedias Volunteer Fire Department was called for assistance. Upon arrival, they found the mare completely submerged in the tank, and struggling to keep her head above the sewage. Assistant Fire Chief Kenny Tamplin volunteered his own personal to help with the heavy load.

“She was so tired from kicking we had to hold her head up so she wouldn’t drown,” said Fire Chief David Jordan.

According to the fire chief, it took ten firemen to successfully lift the horse out of the septic tank, that was approximately 8-feet wide and 12 feet deep, by tying two sizeable tow straps around the weakened animal and connecting it to the front-end loader of a large tractor.

“Even though the smell was horrible, we worked together and we did it. Then we rinsed her off to give her the best possible chance to survive,” said Chief Jordan.

The firemen were astounded that once the mare was freed, she immediately began grazing again, despite her wounds, which included deep gashes on her ears and face.

“They did an outstanding job,” said Sheriff Don Sowell, who believes the incident is the first of its kind in Grimes County.

The fire chief agreed that most people would have walked away from the smelly task that didn’t end until 1:45 a.m.

“It was trying, but it’s a good feeling. My guys jumped into the muck, without any regard, to save a horse. They went above and beyond the call of duty. Anyone else would have shot it (the horse) and been done with it,” said Chief Jordan.

According to the deputy’s report, the horse wandered into the area of the pasture where the septic tank was located through a gate that was inadvertently left open.