For 3 hours, a distressed lady hugged her show horse, Astro, to keep him from drowning in dirt.

Astro, a 900-pound horse, became trapped in the mud during an afternoon ride in Melbourne, Australia.

Nicole Graham fought hard to keep her horse quiet and above the treacherous quagmire muck as the ocean tide approached.

Nicole’s daughter Paris had accompanied her on her ride, and her horse had been stuck as well. Nicole was successful in releasing Paris’ horse, but not the bigger horse, Astro.

Attempts to extricate Astro led him to get further lodged, so Nicole’s only option was to keep him quiet until aid came.

Paris was able to get assistance, and Astro was drugged while a harness was fastened to him in order for a tractor to take him out.

Nicole, who owns over ten horses, claimed it took rescuers three hours to take her horse to safety.

“It was frightening. It was also distressing to watch my horse fatigued and suffering, “Nicole told The Geelong Advertiser,” according to the Daily Mail.

“I’ve been riding here for 20 years and have never had an issue,” she continued. I’d never seen any signs and had no idea it was so muddy. ”

Fire chief Roger Buckle, who assisted in the horse’s rescue, characterized the muck as “quicksand.”

Fortunately, Astro just had dehydration and a little muscular discomfort.

“A lot of horses don’t make it, and I believe the chances of survival would have been much lower if the owner hadn’t been there,” said vet Stacey Sullivan.