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

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

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

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

Desperation: 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 been out for 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 his daughter Paris was riding was also partially swallowed by the mud.

After crawling 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: The brave mother tries to keep the horse calm while rescuers work to free the 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. She clung bravely to its beak, terrified that it would not be freed before the tide came in.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

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

Miss Graham, who owns more than 10 horses and an equipment cabinet business, told the Geelon Advertiser how a leisurely late afternoon walk 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 fights to free it.

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

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

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

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

He added: “I’ve been traveling here for 20 years and I’ve never had a drama.” I’ve always seen some sign and never realized it was so swampy.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

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

Fire Lieutenant Roger Buckle, who was among the team of helpers, 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 father of this team was successful.

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

Saved: Veterinarian Stacey Sulliva helps Astro stand up as the sedation wears off

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

The combined rescue effort bore fruit. With a few 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 Lieutenant Buckle, who praised everyone’s efforts, including those of Miss 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 don’t survive and I think without the owner the chances of survival would have been much lower,” he said.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

It’s all over: Miss Graham takes 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.