BLAIRSTOWN — Emergency responders combined strength, ingenuity and lots of patience to rescue a horse stuck on ice over the weekend.

The Blairstown fire, police and ambulance crews with the Office of Emergency Management responded shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday to Alice Court, where a 27-year-old horse had fallen and was stuck on ice, according to Blairstown News, a Facebook page operated by township Firefighter Bob Halberstadt.

The horse was unable to get up, so firefighters and the horse's owner placed rubber stable mats down to see if the animal could stand up on her own. That proved "to be an almost impossible task," Halberstadt posted.

The responders brought in a loader and bucket and placed straps around the horse. After multiple tries, and with a "giant effort," the animal was finally able to get to her feet.

"A cheer and a sigh of relief was audible from the rescue workers," the post read.

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The emergency responders supported the horse while they placed more stable mats across the field for her to walk on. The painstaking journey continued onto the road and back to the horse's stable.

"After a nearly two-hour effort by the family and the first responders, the horse was back home in its stall enjoying a mouth full of hay," the post read.

The recent cold weather along with periods of snow and rain has led to considerable ice buildup throughout much of the region. To help reduce slippery spots on farms, one user who commented on the Blairstown News post suggested putting hay on ice to provide traction when the areas freeze over.

Fortunately, locals may not have to worry about icy, hazardous conditions for much longer. The National Weather Service forecast shows high temperatures in the 40s through the end of the week, with Saturday potentially reaching 50 degrees.