ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A horse was rescued Sunday afternoon after becoming trapped in a frozen swimming pool in Huntington Township, according to the Huntington Township Fire Department.
Firefighters were dispatched at 3:27 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, after receiving a report of a horse stuck in an ice-covered pool, the department said. Crews arrived to find the animal standing in the pool surrounded by ice.
Because of the conditions and the size of the animal, additional resources were requested, the fire department said. Crews contacted the VA for rescue equipment and coordinated with township trustees, local businesses, heavy equipment owners, and a wrecker service while developing a plan to remove the horse.
Using a backhoe, responders secured the horse and lifted it out of the pool, placing it onto solid ground, according to the department.
The fire department said the horse had been in icy water for more than an hour, resulting in stiffness in its legs. Firefighters and homeowners covered the animal with blankets and used heat sources to warm it.
After warming measures were implemented, the horse was able to stand and was walked to a nearby barn for shelter, the department said.
The Huntington Township Fire Department said the horse did not sustain visible injuries. The department credited mutual aid agencies, the Huntington Township road crew, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, and community members for assisting with the rescue.
