Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue (CKFR), the Mason 2 Fire Department, the Department of Natural Resources ATV unit and the Horse Harbor Foundation, a nonprofit equine sanctuary, responded to a call around 3:15 p.m. Saturday regarding a horse that had fallen off a path on Gold Creek Trail, past the Old Tin Mill, in Seabeck.

When emergency crews arrived, they found Lacey, a 18-year-old full-blooded Arabian horse, down a 45-foot ravine. She was on her back, pinned between rocks, the embankment and a large log. Crews worked to secure the log and then used a chainsaw to cut it and relieve pressure on the horse. Nearly three hours later, crews were able to get Lacey on her feet.

The horse struggled to right herself and would lose ground and slide back down the bank during the rescue. Crews used a variety of harnesses, ropes, straps and a pulley system to pull Lacey to safety.

More than 20 people, including the horse’s owner, Pam George, and many friends, helped with the rescue effort and shortly before 9:15 p.m., Lacey was on solid ground and greeted with much applause and shouting from her rescuers and onlookers.

The horse was able to walk the roughly 2.5 miles down the mountain where she was tended to by a veterinarian.

George told CKFR that Lacey is being treated at an animal hospital in Snohomish and doctors are “cautiously optimistic” that she will have a successful recovery. As of Monday, there is swelling to the animal’s head which is causing partial facial paralysis. The veterinarian continues to flush out a deep gash on the horse’s right hind quarter and is treating the horse for shock, according to CKFR Spokeswoman Theresa MacLennan.