Two young snowboarders could hardly believe what they were seeing when they came across what they thought was a simple rock deep in the Andes. But the moment they moved closer, everything changed — because lying there in the freezing snow wasn’t a rock at all, but a frostbitten, stranded horse fighting for its life.
What happened next became one of the most extraordinary mountain rescue stories ever captured on video.
A birthday snowboarding trip turned heroic mission
Rafael Pease and his friend had set out for a day of snowboarding in the Chilean Andes. It was Rafael’s 21st birthday, and he expected nothing more than fresh snow and a memorable ride down the slopes. But fate had a different plan.
As the two began carving their way down the mountain, they noticed something large and unmoving in the distance. At first glance, it looked like a big, snow-covered rock — nothing unusual in harsh mountain terrain. But the closer they came, the more they realized something was terribly wrong.
What they had found was a horse — alone, freezing, exhausted, and completely stuck.
A desperate fight for survival
The situation was dire. The horse was trapped in deep snow, unable to move, clearly suffering from cold exposure and exhaustion. Without immediate help, the animal would not make it another night in the brutal conditions of the Andes.
Realizing the urgency, the young men snapped into action. They grabbed their small snow shovels and began digging furiously around the animal, trying to free its legs and body from the icy trap.
“The horse was gonna die unless someone did something,” one of them said in the YouTube video they later posted — a statement that wasn’t an exaggeration in the slightest.
They offered the horse some of the food they had with them, trying to give it enough energy to move. Then, using a rope, they gently tied it around the horse’s neck to guide it toward safety.
Slow steps toward freedom
Bit by bit, step by step, the horse began to move. The snowboarders cleared a path, guiding the exhausted animal through the snow-covered mountain. It was slow, grueling progress — but it was progress.
After a long and tense descent, they finally managed to lead the horse down the mountain to safer ground.
Their intervention had saved a life.
A worried owner and an emotional reunion
Later, the snowboarders learned that the horse’s owner had been desperately searching for his missing animal for days. The horse had escaped, become lost, and ended up trapped on the mountain — where it remained stranded for four lonely days without food, shelter, or warmth.
Thanks to the snowboarders’ bravery and compassion, the owner and horse were finally reunited. The emotional moment marked the end of an ordeal that could have easily ended in tragedy.
A lesson in humanity
The young men later reflected on their life-changing experience. On his blog, Rafael Pease wrote:
“I have been through a lot in life, and through it all I have realized that it’s well worth it to watch out for others — whether they are human or not. And that’s what me and my riding partner did (…) Hopefully this inspires you to get out there and not only live your life to the fullest, but to help others do the same.”
His words highlight the powerful reminder that kindness — even in the most unexpected moments — can change a life.
A rescue worth sharing
Watch the brave rescue below:
Source: YouTube / GoPro
If you’re touched by this incredible story, share it with all your horse-loving friends. Stories like this show that courage, compassion, and quick action can make all the difference in the world.
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