Courageous 16-Year-Old Girl Saves Runaway Horse From Busy Highway

A brave girl has been praised as a hero after saving a horse that had escaped on a busy highway in Maryland. When the 16-year-old girl and her horse saw the fleeing horse, they were preparing to compete in a horse display. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and led the horse to safety. The thrilling rescue was captured on video!

Caroline Shoults and her rescue horse, Tinkerbell, were waiting for the riding exhibition to begin at De Novo Farms in Anne Arundel County when one of the horses bolted from the barn and ran directly into a busy road. The young girl understood the fugitive horse was in serious danger and decided to save him. Julia Young, a 13-year-old girl in the stands, captured the moment on her cellphone. Jeanette Newland later published the video on Facebook.

“At our first horse show, we were in our barn family when we see another horse broke free from her halter and took off,” wrote Jeanette Newland. “A brave 16-year-old getting ready to compete stopped to help try to catch her.” Caroline and Tinkerbell pursued the fleeing horse along the roadway for almost three miles. Meanwhile, other rides pitched in to assist with the rescue. They were riding their cars near to the horses to prevent other drivers from approaching them.”

“Finally, after about 3 miles, everyone rather exhausted, I was able to guide her into the shoulder of the highway into the grass,” Caroline explained on Facebook. “I jumped off and threw the lead rope over her neck, and waited mere seconds for everyone to come up to us, the horse trailer just behind them. Talking to my horse was the only thing that kept me sane. I can’t say I was scared,” the brave adolescent told FOX 5. “I think I was just so focused on a positive outcome I didn’t have time to be scared, especially in a situation like that.”

Thankfully, the runaway horse named Ice was safely taken back to the barns, and most important, no one was hurt! Yet, it was quite an experience for everyone involved. “It was pretty intense with the traffic and could have turned bad in so many ways, but she kept her cool and help keep the horse safe until she tired herself out,” Jeanette Newland told the media site. “What an adventure we had all. I’m just thankful that the horses and the people who helped us are all safe.” More on this amazing rescue in the video below!