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.
“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!”
Can horses swim?
Horses do have the ability to swim naturally much like dogs and other mammals. Since they can’t breathe underwater, they hold their head above water as they trot or use paddle-like movements to swim, according to the National Equine Organization’s website.
Whether the horse enjoys contact with water might depend on whether the horse has been domesticated or runs freely. Wild horses are pretty used to running across a river to find food or a place to settle, unlike domesticated horses who may not have experienced a similar situation, the National Equine Organization said.
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.
