ANIMALS
Drowning Horse Rescued In Florida
Alachua County Sheriff's Office
A drowning and exhausted horse was rescued in Florida this week after it became trapped in a retention pond, authorities said.
A video shared by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday shows deputies working with Lacrosse Fire Rescue and Alachua County Fire Rescue to haul the horse out of the water on Tuesday.
According to the sheriff’s office, rescuers responded to the scene near Alachua, northwest of Gainesville, and found the horse drowning and exhausted in a retention pond. Alachua firefighters dove into the water immediately to to stabilize the horse’s head above water while rescuers came up with a plan to pull the animal out.
The sheriff’s office’s rural services unit came equipped with a winch, and created a harness using a 6-inch wide strap.
The video shows rescuers using the harness to pull the horse out of the pond using a forward assist technique. As the horse came to the edge of the pond, a rescuer could be seen sliding a rescue board under the animal to help it slide onto land more easily.
Once out of the water, the horse remained lying on its side for a time, before suddenly jolting upright and finding its feet.
Atta boy, a voice can be heard saying, and other rescuers encourage the horse as it regains its strength.
According to the sheriff’s office, the horse was reunited with its owner and appeared to have no injuries.
TMX contributed to this article.
