A horse rescued by firefighters Sunday afternoon at Patuxent River State Park in Brookeville is expected to recover after becoming trapped on a pedestrian bridge.
According to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, crews were initially dispatched around 1:40 pm for a reported injured person on a trail. While searching the area, responders discovered a horse whose leg had fallen through a pedestrian bridge, leaving the animal unable to stand. MCFRS called in its Technical Rescue Team and a veterinarian to assist with the rescue.
The horse was sedated and firefighters successfully freed its leg. In a later update, officials said the sedation had worn off and the horse was able to put weight on the injured leg. While the animal suffered soft tissue damage, responders determined the leg was not broken. MCFRS personnel, assisted by Howard County firefighters, then helped guide the horse off the trail. The original injured person involved in the call was located and declined transportation to a hospital.
Patuxent River State Park~@mcfrs personnel have been working since 140PM to assist freeing an injured horse who had it’s leg go through pedestrian bridge. Horse sedated and portion of pedestrian bridge wood cut by @mcfrs. Horse freed and walked down off trail at 410PM. @mcfrsPIO pic.twitter.com/MczDdoyTAN
— Pazos@mcfrsPIO (@DavidPazos15) May 31, 2026
