‘Lucky’ the horse rescued from neck-deep sinkhole in San Fernando Valley

Firefighters were able to successfully pull a horse out from neck-deep soil after a sinkhole suddenly swallowed the animal Wednesday afternoon.

The horse remained trapped in a San Fernando Valley backyard for almost three hours, as more than 60 firefighters worked to rescue the 20-year-old Paso Fino horse named “Lucky,” according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Her situation eventually lived up to her name.

Using heavy equipment, including an excavator, shovels and straps, officials completed the “swift but delicate rescue” just after 3 p.m., LAFD officials said. Firefighters worked with officials from the city’s Department of Animal Services and Sanitation Department.

The horse, weighing an estimated 1,200 pounds, became trapped around noon in Lake View Terrace, near Sylmar.

Officials said Lucky remained “conscious and alert, in minimal to moderate distress” during the rescue, and appeared to be standing while trapped in the soil.

After her rescue, Lucky was able to slowly walk from the yard, and she will soon be evaluated by a veterinarian, officials said.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the sinkhole. LAFD officials said the agency would not determine the cause, but noted the recent strong rainstorms in the area and speculated that an old septic system may be linked to the sinkhole.