Woman rescued by horseback in Piney Ranch area after breaking ankle hiking

A 59-year -Arvada women was successfully rescued two miles up the Piney River Ranch area on the Upper Piney Trail after a hiking accident Wednesday.

The search began just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday when the woman's husband called 911 to report that his wife fell while hiking and was believed to have a broken ankle. Vail Mountain Rescue Group sent a four-person team up on horseback. Piney Stables provided horses and a wrangler to assist with with rescue operations.

By 4:30 p.m. the rescue team had made contact with the woman and by 6 p.m. she was out of the field and on her way to Vail Valley Medical Center.

“Without hesitation Piney Stables dropped everything to help us help someone in need,” said Sheriff Joe Hoy. “My hat goes off to them. They donated their time and resources to today's rescue operation; it means a lot.”

Rescuers from the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, Vail Mountain Rescue Group, and the Eagle County Ambulance District assisted with the operation.