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Texas Cowboys Save 31 Horses from Flooded River

An Eastland County family of cowboys rode through rising floodwaters to save dozens of horses in a dramatic Mother's Day rescue mission that was caught on camera. 

Will Barrett recorded what he could as he and his sons rescued 31 horses from high water Sunday. 

The Barrett family owns and operates Cross B Rodeo Company and Boys Ranch in Ranger, Texas. They were in Abilene when heavy rainfall caused the portion of the Leon River on their property to flow over its banks. Their 31 horses weren't able to get to higher ground because the flood waters had shut the gates on the property.

"The water pressure pushing against it had the gate shut, and [the horses] couldn't get up there even if they wanted to," said Barrett.

When the family arrived home, they immediately jumped into action. Barrett and his three sons — ages 14, 12 and 8 — got on their horses to look for the others.

"The water was higher than the fence and it was already washing ponies over the fence. A few them had already washed over and were going down the river," said Barrett. "We knew it was an emergency situation."

Video shows them riding through water as they used lassos to wrangle the horses.

"We paused a few times during the process, said a prayer or two," said Barrett. "It was absolutely successful. It was scary and pretty intense and the boys were having a blast."

Bailey Barrett, 14, said he was scared, but that he "knew the good Lord was going to make sure everything turned out the way He wanted it."

"My dad has always taught us let your faith be bigger than your fear," he added.

The family saved all 31 horses.

The Cross B Rodeo Company and Boys Ranch encourages youth to become involved in the great sport of rodeo by offering them opportunities to practice and compete, according to its Facebook page.

MORE: Cross B Boys Ranch on YouTube | Cross B Rodeo Company & Boys Ranch on Facebook

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