By Terence Corcoran • tcorcora@LoHud.com

KENT — A horse rescued by firefighters after he got stuck in a hole has a date in next year's Lake Carmel fire parade, if he pulls through.


The 34-year-old Morgan — named Parader — got stuck Tuesday morning at Kent Cliff Farms on Schrade Road.

He was being treated at the New England Equine Practice in Patterson, where he was in stable but guarded condition, officials said.

Lake Carmel Fire Chief James Hauth said the horse was exhausted and appeared traumatized, but those involved in the rescue were hoping for the best.

"If he makes it through, it's already been determined that he'll be invited to participate in the Lake Carmel Fire Department parade this coming summer," Hauth said.

Diane Kane, a trainer at the stable off Farmers Mills Road, and her husband, Kent Fire Chief Paul Kane, found the horse stuck in a hole. Hauth said the farm had recently installed an automatic water feeder for the horses and this week's bad weather had made the ground around it soft and moist. One of the horse's hind legs got stuck in the hole.

The Kent chief summoned a handful of volunteers from his department, but they saw the job was more than they could handle and called in the Lake Carmel crew.

After they got the leg free, a quick examination seemed to show no fractures, Hauth said, but the horse was unable to stand on his own, so they called the vet.

"They pretty much came with a hospital on wheels, including a harness," Hauth said. "I think he was completely exhausted."

Also at the scene were Kent police and highway workers, the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services and TransCare medics.

Parader, who in human years would be about 90 years old, also lives with a half brother, who is about the same age and was visibly upset at the rescue scene, Hauth said, adding that the brother was later brought to the hospital to comfort Parader.