Local police and fire officials responded to the Valle Escondido Paicavi area with ropes and a crane to aid in the rescue of “Dreamer,” the horse.
Dreamer’s owner and rider, Oscar Vallejos, said the animal became frightened by the passage of a vehicle, so he jumped and fell into the well.
“A vehicle was approaching and he got scared and jumped when the other vehicles came. It (well) had a wooden cover and the wooden cover broke and he fell with his hind legs. I fell on my back with the horse,” Vallejos said.
Despite a dose of tranquilliser, the horse was uneasy and nervous, complication the rescue.
Worried residents looked on during the gruelling one-hour-long rescue operation.
Firefighter Rodrigo Gonzalez said they fashioned a pulley to pull him out.
“With water, we were able to place a sling (strong rope lifting heavy weights) and pull the horse a little further back and we were able to lift him with the machinery,” said Gonzalez.
The horse was lifted from the hole after being trapped for several hours but there are conflicting reports in local media regarding injuries.
Dreamer is well-known in the area and is very friendly towards children, local media reported.