How firefighters rescued a 2,000-pound Clydesdale from a frozen marsh

Apparently, Bubba the 2,000-pound Clydesdale doesn't know his own size.

Delaware City firefighters have been called out twice in the past two days to get him back on his feet.

On Sunday, it took a Ford F-350 pickup, wetsuits and fire hoses to rescue him from a frozen muddy creek in Delaware City.

Bubba, who was in a new pasture, wandered about 25 feet out into Dragon Run Creek and got stuck.

"He doesn't realize how big he is, and while trying to go ice skating, he got himself into a bit of a pickle," said owner Pam Collacchi. 

The owners could not lead Bubba from the near-freezing mud and called the Delaware City Fire Company, located next to the pasture, for help. 

Chief Wally Poppe said they tried to reach the Kent County Large Animal Rescue Team, but the team would have taken too long to arrive.

"We might not have done what we should have," Poppe said," but that horse wasn't dying on my watch."

A surface water rescue team donned wetsuits and headed into the muddy creek, which was coated with a thin layer of ice. 

The team pulled the horse closer to the bank, but could not free Bubba from the mud. The firefighters strapped fire hoses around the horse's legs and to a Ford F-350 and tugged.

Slowly, Bubba walked up the bank, but as the horse rose above the water line, he began to kick out his back legs. A vet had to sedate him, Poppe said. 

A cheer rose from the field when he was pulled to safety.

Firefighters laid out straw for Bubba to lie down on and moved his legs to warm him up.

He eventually stood and walked back to the stables, Poppe said.

And then on Monday, Delaware City Firefighters were called back to rescue Bubba again.

Lying down, he wedged himself into a corner in his stable, and could not stand-up. He needed a roll and a push from first responders, Collacchi said. 

Bubba was free —again. He got to spend Monday out in the pastures frolicking, Collacchi said. 

"So thankful for their help and patience, so Bubba is able to enjoy this warm, winter day in the sunshine," she said. 

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Contact Josephine Peterson at (302) 324-2856 or jhpeterson@delawareonline.com. Follow her @jopeterson93.