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BUCKEYE, Arizona (AP) - It's not everyday you see a horse flying through the air.

A helicopter safely rescued a horse named Colorado Tuesday morning that was stranded on a Gila River sandbar since Friday.

The swift moving current of the Gila River prevented an earlier rescue and the horse was trapped on the sandbar with a few bushes and trees to munch on.

The horse was prepped for the flight using a tranquilizer before being placed in a harness with blinders on.

Once he was airborne, Colorado flew effortlessly and never bucked once. A crowded awaited his arrival on the river bank after he was flown about a half mile.

The rescue took place in western Maricopa County at 222nd Avenue and Eagle Mountain Road.