Teen Kayakers Deliver Heartwarming River Rescue Moment

Quick Smiles:

• Two teens act quickly to save a helpless foal
• Kindness and teamwork help reunite a baby horse with its herd
• Rescue highlights the bond between youth and animals

A sunny kayaking trip became an extraordinary adventure for teens Ava Haddad and Anna Gleig as they navigated Alberta’s Kananaskis River. While paddling together, the friends noticed a group of horses grazing near the water’s edge.

Excitement filled the air, but concern soon followed — a young foal was caught in the river’s swift current and struggling to get free.

“We first saw the horses and we were all excited,” Anna shared. That joy quickly faded as the foal became distressed, letting out anxious calls.

“It was making a lot of distress noises,” Ava remembered.

Without hesitation, Anna bravely reached for the frightened animal, while Ava guided their kayak towards safety. The foal didn’t resist their efforts. “He didn’t fight back against us,” Ava recalled. “He just let us take him, so that worked out really well.”

With gentle care, the teens brought the foal ashore. Waiting for his herd, they hoped the mother would return, but she did not appear. Realizing the foal couldn’t be left alone, they made a caring decision: bring him with them.

“I ended up putting my life-jacket on him and picking him up and putting him in the boat with us. And miraculously, somehow he was calm enough, and was okay with being in the boat,” Anna recounted. She added, “He took a little nap there because he was just so tired.”

The heartwarming story didn’t end there. Thanks to the support of the local First Nations community, a truck arrived to safely transport the foal and reunite him with his herd — ensuring a happy ending for all.

“It’s good to know that this horse has a second chance at life,” Ava said with relief and joy.

This inspiring act of compassion shines a bright light on how ordinary days can turn into stories of hope. With teamwork, bravery, and a generous dose of empathy, these teens made a life-saving difference for one lucky foal.

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