Heroes of the Week: Florida firefighters save horse caught in swimming pool

This week's heroes are firefighters from Pasco County Florida. Pasco County is located on the west central coast of Florida, and north of Tampa. at the end of June, they got a call from a homeowner that a startled horse had jumped into a swimming pool and couldn't get out. They rescued the horse. Here's the story.

(Photo credit: Pasco County Fire Rescue, Florida) 

Florida firefighters save horse caught in swimming pool 

Amaris Encinas , USA TODAY , June 24, 2023

A horse caught in a swimming pool was heroically rescued by Florida firefighters Tuesday night.

Pasco County Fire Rescue received a call around 5:30 p.m. about a horse jumping into a pool after the horse was spooked by another horse, according to a Facebook post by the fire department.

Firemen on scene kept the horse calm as they called for additional assistance. The team got to work with large animal rescue equipment and carefully lifted the horse out of the water with a harness.  

POSTING FROM THE PASCO COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS - Must see video: Check out the video of our Special Operations Team rescuing a horse that was spooked by another horse and jumped into a swimming pool. Pasco County Fire Rescue Firefighters were called to Frontier Drive around 5:30 PM Tuesday (June 20, 2023) to find a horse stuck in a swimming pool. Firefighters started to keep the horse calm and called for assistance from Squad 1.

Squad 1 responded to the scene with our large animal rescue equipment, and the team went to work. After hopping into the pool, firefighters secured a hoisting harness to the horse and carefully lifted the horse from the water.

We are happy to report that the horse is in good condition! Thank you to everyone who responded and worked vigilantly to save a life!

                ****************************

Horses can swim as far as two miles per hour, but generally tire about 30 minutes in. Age, breed, health condition can impact the distance and speed a horse can swim.

A horse’s interest in water might vary on the horse, but paying close attention to facial expressions and body language to make sure that the horse would be comfortable.