Heber, Arizona – A video shared by wild horse advocate Betty Nixon on April 29 shows a baby wild horse stuck in a mud pit while attempting to drink water.

Nixon said she later rescued the foal herself after watching over the area since 8:00 a.m. She saw the young horse enter the mud at 11:54 a.m. and pulled it out before it could drown.

This is the second incident at the same mud pit in recent days. On Saturday, a mare and foal were also rescued from the same spot. Nixon blames the situation on drought conditions and the U.S. Forest Service’s refusal to allow advocates to deliver water to the Heber Wild Horses.

The Forest Service’s plan, according to Nixon, is for the horses to move to another area of the forest with water but little food. She says the horses are being forced to choose between water and adequate forage during foaling season.

Meanwhile, Arizona Game & Fish volunteers are delivering water to wildlife like elk, deer, and bears—but to locations not accessible to the horses. Nixon argues this shows a clear lack of concern for the federally protected wild horses.

She urges the public to call the Forest Service and demand they issue permits allowing volunteers to haul water to safe areas for the horses. Nixon and other volunteers say they are ready to act but are being blocked by red tape.

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