GASTON, Ore. (AP) -- Rural firefighters and concerned neighbors have rescued an aged horse that got trapped in a muddy creek in a Yamhill County, Ore., pasture.

Gaston Rural Fire District spokesman Ken Bilderback says neighbors and 10 firefighters wrapped fire hoses around the roughly 30-year-old horse and pulled it to safety Wednesday.

He says the creek banks are very muddy, slippery and fairly steep and the horse apparently fell down, landed on its back and couldn't get out. Neighbors called the fire department when they noticed its plight since the horse's owners weren't home.

Bilderback says a veterinarian treating the horse on-scene was optimistic late Wednesday night that it would survive.

Gaston is about 25 miles west of Portland.

Copyright 2011 The AP.