This was the terrifying moment a brave young mother battled to keep her beloved horse calm as sea water closed in on the animal after it became stuck in mud “as quickly as it could”.

Exhausted and splattered with mud, Nicole Graham clung to her trapped horse Astro for three hours, holding her head high in a race against the tide.

The 78-stop show horse had sunk into quagmire-like mud and faced the prospect of drowning as the water rose around him.

‘As quickly as possible’: Both Miss Graham and her horse were left waist-deep in mud as the tide closed in.

Despair: Nicole Graham comforts Astro, her 18-year-old show horse, after he gets stuck in coastal mud

swallowed: Astro was quickly stuck and Miss Graham’s efforts to free him only resulted in her sinking deeper into the swamp herself.

Miss Graham had gone on a post-poo walk with her daughter along the coast near Geelog, south of Melbourne, where 18-year-old Astro suddenly sank into the mud.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Before it could deform, the smaller horse that her daughter Paris was riding was also partially swallowed by the mud.

After dragging themselves through the mud, Miss Graham helped her daughter and the other horse to firmer ground.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

However, Astro became stuck and her efforts to free him only resulted in her sinking deeper into the quagmire herself.

To the rescue: Veterinarian Stacey Sulliva prepares to sedate Astro in a bid to get him out safely

tidal terror: brave mother tries to keep horse calm as rescuers work to free animal

Emotional: Miss Graham said it was heartbreaking to see her horse so exhausted and struggling.

As Paris approached her car and called for help, Miss Graham stayed by her horse’s side. She bravely held on to its pickaxe, terrified that it might not be freed before the tide came in.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

After three “terrifying” hours, rescuers managed to pull Astro and Miss Graham out of the mud.(adsbygoogle = ventana.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Miss Graham, who owns more than 10 horses and a tack room business, told the Geelon Advertiser how a leisurely afternoon stroll had ended in terror.

She said: ‘It was terrifying. It was also heartbreaking to see my horse exhausted and struggling.

Race against the tide: The water is closing in on the horse as the group struggles to free it.

Stuck fast: Rescuers look for ways to free injured horse as time slowly runs out

Released: Astro is pulled out of the mud with the help of a farmer’s tractor

‘We cried up and down. There was mud everywhere and every time I moved it would suck me down. It wouldn’t let us go.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

After learning that her daughter and horse were safe, she returned to Astro and prayed that rescuers would arrive before the tide swallowed the horse.

And he added: “I have been travelling here for 20 years and I have never had a drama.” I have always seen some sign and I have not realised that it was so swampy.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

‘When I saw the dust from the rescue trucks I felt so relieved. I was starting to feel overwhelmed.

Fire Lt. Roger Buckle, who was among the team of responders, said, “It was like a quick hit.”(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Fire crews worked with a local farmer, who provided a tractor, and a veterinary team. The firefighter used hoses and a witch, but the dad of this team was successful.

Sedated and exhausted: Astro collapses to the ground after being pulled out of the mud, to the relief of rescuers.

Saved: Veterinarian Stacey Sulliva helps Astro to his feet as the sedation wears off

A local helicopter was put on hold as a last resort to get Astro out of the mud.(adsbygoogle = ventana.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The combined rescue effort paid off. With just minutes to spare before the water reached him, Astro, who had been sedated by veterinarian Stacey Sullivap, was pulled out of the mud with the help of the farmer’s tractor.

“It was a race against the tide and fortunately we worked,” said Lt. Buckle, who praised the efforts of everyone, including Ms. Sullivan, whose work sedating Astro made it easier to free him.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Miss Sulliva said Astro was dehydrated but had coped well.

“Many horses do not survive and I think that without the owner the chances of survival would have been much lower,” he said.(adsbygoogle = ventana.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

It’s all over: Miss Graham leads her horses away from the beach after the traumatic rescue

Aftermath: Astro and Miss Graham are taken to safety after the drama. The vet said the horse may not have made it if he hadn’t whistled for his owner’s efforts.