SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — A horse that fell into a well has been rescued by fire crews, veterinarians and a crane operator at a small California ranch.

The Marin Independent Journal reported that the horse named Buddy fell into a brick-lined well on Monday when the cover gave way.

The San Rafael Fire Department responded, but the more than 1,000-pound animal was too heavy to be lifted out by human hands.

So officials called a crane company and veterinarians to help pull the horse out of the well, which contained 20 feet of water.

More than a dozen people gathered to watch as the horse became tired and frustrated. Cheers erupted a couple of hours later when the crane lifted Buddy to safety.