A cowboy family in Texas have pulled off a dramatic rescue of 31 horses from life-threatening floodwaters.
The Barrett family in Eastland County run the Cross B Rodeo Company and Boys Ranch in Ranger, Texas.
One of the roped horses is guided to safety. Photo: YouTube/Will Barrett
The family was in Abilene when heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood, which caused part of the Leon River, which runs through their property, to breach its banks on Mother’s Day, May 10.
Their 31 horses could not reach higher ground because the pressure of the floodwaters had pushed shut gates, cutting off escape routes.
The Barretts returned to their farm and Will Barrett and his sons, Bailey, 14, Jade, 12, and Trace, 8, saddled up to mount a rescue mission through their flooded farm.
They rode for hours through the water during the operation, eventually managing to gather up, rope and rescue all of the horses and lead them to higher ground.
At times, the flood-stricken horses were swimming for their lives and had been washed over fences.
The horses and ponies were herded back across the strong-flowing river and then escorted across the flooded ranch and into a set of livestock pens on high ground.
The final head count was 31 – all the horses had been saved.
Will Barrett recorded what he could of the rescue on video and posted it on YouTube.
The Cross B Rodeo Company and Boys Ranch encourages youung people to become involved in rodeo, providing them opportunities to practice and compete.
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