Close Call for Horse Stuck in Mud at Avalon Beach

Our hearts go out to Nicole Graham who stayed with her horse, Astro, for three hours as rescuers raced against an incoming tide to free him, after he became stuck in thick mud at Avalon Beach near Geelong, Victoria. 

Nicole had been out for a ride with her daughter, Paris, at Avalon Beach when Astro became mired in the mud.  After making sure Paris and her horse were safe, Nicole clung to Astro's neck and kept him calm as the rescuers, including fire crews, a local farmer and a vet, worked desperately to pull her beloved horse to safety. Luckily everyone's efforts paid off and Astro was finally extracted from the mud.

Photos of Nicole and Astro's frightening ordeal have gone around the globe via the internet and when ninemsn spoke to her, Nicole said she had no idea her story had generated so much interest. She was reluctant to see the photos because she did not want to relive the painful experience.

Nicole is hopeful the intense media coverage will help fast track the local Council into erecting signage warning riders of the dangerous mud where Astro became stuck.

"A lot of people use the beach with their horses and their dogs," she said to ninemsn. "With the media coverage and photos, the Council might get into action quickly now."

Perhaps all horse people and equestrian clubs in the area could get behind Nicole's suggestion and appeal to the Council for installation of signage as soon as possible, to prevent this happening again?

We wish Nicole and Astro all the best and hope he's fully recovered from his ordeal.

Quick Link

• Read ninemsn's report and Nicole's comment about why the prime minister should ride a horse at www.ninemsn.com.au
• View story posted by 'Cowboy Magic' on Facebook
• View all photos at www.dailymail.co.uk - harrowing images - no wonder Nicole didn't want to look at them