Chainsaw relief for tree-trapped horse

This mare has had a bit of a 'mare – after getting her head stuck inside a tree.

The filly, called Gracie, had to be cut free with a chainsaw when owner Jason Harschbarger discovered her wedged in the trunk – after he was alerted by hearing the horse making strange noises.

'I had taken a break from using the weed eater and when I turned it off I could hear her crying,' said Mr Harschbarger.

'I looked up and all I could see was her belly. I ran up to see her and she looked in a lot of trouble. She was hanging there by the back of her jaws. I ran back down to my vehicle and got a chainsaw and ratchet strap.

'I don't know what possessed me to get the camera as well.'

I think she was just being curious and stuck her head in there
When attempts to pull her free with the ratchet strap option failed, Harschbarger decided it was time to crank out the chainsaw.
'I started cutting on the tree right above her head. That really stressed her and she reared up three times and her head came out.

That chainsaw really spooked her.'

But the drama didn't end there. Gracie may have freed her head, but as she came back down her left hoof got stuck back in the tree. But twenty minutes, and some nifty chainsaw work, later, Gracie was free once more – although slightly shocked.

Gracie has emerged mostly unscathed with a few scars down her neck and a bit of nerve damage to her nose and lips. But things have changed a bit for the Harschbargers after the pictures were shown all around the US.

'We've been on Fox News,' said Mr Harschbarger. 'My friends are asking me how it feels to be a celebrity.'

'I think she was just being curious and stuck her head in there.

Then her hoof might have slipped on the wood and she fell backwards and got her head wedged,' he speculated.