Rafael celebrated his 21st birthday by snowboarding with a friend in El Colorado, Chile. He noticed a strange-looking rock in the distance and quickly realized it was a stranded wild horse trapped in the snow.
Rafael and his friend acted quickly, knowing the poor horse would perish. The amazing video documenting the rescue is like something out of a movie! Rafael and his companion approach the beautiful chestnut horse and dig her out of four feet of packed-in snow.
They then led the mare six miles down the mountain, allowing her to follow. The horse was reunited with her herd five hours after they discovered her.
Rafael may not have celebrated his 21st birthday in the traditional manner, but his version is far more touching. “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.”
“What we learned when we finally reunited the horse with its owner was that the horse had been missing for four days. Hopefully this inspires you to get out there and not only live your life to the fullest, but to help others do the same.”
The stranded horse would not have survived much longer if the snowboarders hadn’t arrived.
While riding the slopes would have been a more enjoyable way to spend the day, Pease says he wouldn’t have had it any other way.