By KATH GANNAWAY
Time-critical manouvres to rescue 33-year-old Candy caught in fallen branches, vines, and lying on cold ground…
SURROUNDED by familiar faces on Sunday, 33-year-old Candy was a very different horse to the one that was at the centre of a life-and-death rescue at Hoddles Creek just a week earlier.
Upper Yarra SES and equine vet, Dr Simon Bray, were called when Candy was discovered around 6pm on Sunday 17 May, lying on the cold ground with her legs caught in fallen tree branches and vines.
She was unable to get up, and with age and weather conditions against her, her chances of surviving were fading by the minute.
“We thought she was gone,” said SES volunteer and farrier, Russell Wulf.
“She was in such a poor state.”
In a series of time-critical manouvres involving SES volunteers Jules McDonald and Mr Wulf, both trained in large animal rescue, equine vet Dr Simon Bray, and a determined group of locals, Operation Save Candy swung into action.
The alarm was raised initially by the owner’s mother, Dorothy Farmer, when Candy didn’t show up for her daily pat and bucket of feed.
A search of the bushland found Candy in a bad way – cold, frightened and stuck on a steep and slippery slope.
It appeared she had been down for some time.
“After taking vital signs, Simon said we had a chance of saving her if we acted fast,” Mr Wulf said.
Because of Candy’s age and condition, the amount of sedative Dr Bray was able to give her meant just a 15-minute window of opportunity to clear the branches and vines that were trapping her, clear the area of obstacles and roll her over into a better position to help her stand.
“We were constantly given times by the time keeper and managed to clear the bush with just five seconds to spare.
Using special straps designed for large animal rescue Candy was able to be rolled into position.
“We were ready, but she had become so cold and weak we couldn’t get her on her feet,” Mr Wulf said.
“But, Simon just wouldn’t give up.
“He was brilliant with the medications and sedatives and the way he just worked at it, not only looking after the horse, but looking out for the safety of everyone there and explaining every step of the way.”
Dr Bray was equally impressed with the efforts put in by the SES and everyone who worked so hard to give Candy the best chance of surviving.
She was sitting up, so if she was physically capable of standing, she’d have a chance.
“We had to roll her over and massage her legs and pump them in and out to get the circulation going,” Dr Bray said.
“We had the straps in place so if she did fall down the hill we could try to arrest her fall.
“It was a difficult and fairly tricky procedure to get her up.
“The SES were fantastic, and just the way everyone listened and worked with instructions from me, and from Jule, made it work.”
Dr Bray said the final endurance test for Candy was to walk her to another paddock, out of harm’s way for the night.
“Talk about a battler … she’s really did well,” he said.
In a letter to the Mail (page 6), Mrs Farmer thanked everyone who helped on the night.
“Without the combined knowledge and expertise, Candy would not have been able to survive the stress and trauma she went through that night,” she said.
On Sunday, Mrs Farmer and her son, Mitchell, thanked everyone personally, and gave a donation to the SES in appreciation, and to help them to continue their volunteer work in the Upper Yarra.
The SES also added their thanks to the Upper Yarra Adult Riding Club and Joan Kerford who donated the equipment used in the rescue.
“We have used the equipment these people donated on several animal rescue jobs, and without it we would not have the success rate that we have,” Mr Wulf said.
“Donations certainly not expected, this sort of thing is what we do, but it is also wonderful to know that what you do is appreciated.”
