A courageous 16-year-old girl is being hailed as a hero after saving a runaway horse on a hectic Maryland highway. The young girl, named Caroline Shoults, and her trusty horse, Tinkerbell, were about to take part in a horse exhibition when they spotted the runaway horse. Without a second thought, Caroline stepped up and guided the horse to safety, and the whole dramatic rescue was captured on video!
This heart-pounding incident took place at De Novo Farms in Anne Arundel County, where Caroline and Tinkerbell were waiting for their horse show to begin. Suddenly, one of the horses made a break for it and dashed onto a busy road. Caroline immediately recognized the danger the runaway horse was in and decided to come to its rescue. Julia Young, a 13-year-old girl in the audience, captured the entire episode on her phone, and it later found its way to Facebook thanks to Jeanette Newland.
“At our first horse show, we were in our barn family when we see another horse broke free from her halter and took off,” Jeanette Newland wrote. “A brave 16-year-old getting ready to compete stopped to help try to catch her.” Caroline and Tinkerbell chased the runaway horse for nearly three miles along the roadway, with other riders joining in to lend a hand. They used their vehicles to create a protective barrier around the horses to keep other drivers at bay.
Finally, after an exhausting three-mile chase, Caroline managed to guide the horse safely onto the highway’s shoulder and into the grass. She then jumped off her horse, threw a lead rope over the runaway horse’s neck, and waited for the others to catch up. The horse trailer was right behind them. Caroline said, “Talking to my horse was the only thing that kept me sane. I can’t say I was scared. 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 returned to the stables, and most importantly, no one was harmed. It was undoubtedly a nerve-wracking experience for everyone involved. Jeanette Newland, who shared the video, said, “It was pretty intense with the traffic and could have turned bad in so many ways, but she kept her cool and helped keep the horse safe until she tired herself out. What an adventure we all had. I’m just thankful that the horses and the people who helped us are all safe.” You can watch more about this incredible rescue in the video below!