Officers use ‘ultimate tug of war’ to rescue 1,300-pound animal from icy pond. See it
Rescuers had to play what would likely be the most grueling and important game of “tug of war” of their lives to rescue a beloved pet from an icy pond in New York, video shows.
A horse had fallen through ice on a pond and “was in imminent danger of freezing to death,” the Saratoga Springs Police Department said in a Feb. 25 post on Facebook.
Rescuers had to act fast. An officer’s body-worn camera shows the horse thrash around in the pond as the officer tries to calm it down by repeatedly saying “easy.”
The horse then places both hooves back on solid ice and can be heard taking deep, loud breaths as he starts resting on his side.
“Come help us pull!” the horse’s owner yells toward someone off frame.
One officer tells another officer to run across the ice, and they all grab the lead rope and count to three to pull in unison.
“Come on baby, we got ya,” one of the officers says as the owner indicates she’s going to grab one of the horse’s front legs.
A third officer arrives and eventually they’re able to drag the horse up and out of the pond onto solid ice.
The horse rests on the ice for a few moments before lumbering to his feet, the video shows.
The horse’s owner, Ali Ernst, recounted the story to the Associated Press. She told the outlet she noticed her three horses playing on the frozen pond when she got home from work, which she said “was not uncommon.”
But the next time she glanced out to check on them, her 22–year-old quarter horse Sly had fallen through, the outlet reported.
She called several numbers for help and ran out to grab the 1,300-pound horse’s halter to keep his head above water as she waited for help to arrive, the outlet reported.
“I was losing the battle to keep him above water alone,” she told the outlet.
Ernst works as a technician at Rood & Riddle Equestrian Hospital, where she took Sly for treatment, the outlet reported. The horse had recovered enough to return home on Feb. 26 — and an electric fence now prevents him and her other horses from accessing the pond.
Several people commented on the department’s Facebook post, saying the dramatic video brought them to tears or made them feel tense.
“Anyone else find their body completely tense watching this and digging your feet and leaning into the floor like you’re helping?” someone said.
“I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until they got him out,” someone replied.
Some complimented the group’s teamwork and quick action.
“This is absolutely amazing!” someone else said. “Ultimate tug of war!”
“Honestly impressive yall were able to hoist a 1200+ pound animal out of water with just manpower,” another person said.
“You guys are all heroes!” someone said. “That was pure heart and guts you all used to pull him out. I think everyone who watched was amazed by each of you!”
Saratoga Springs is about a 180-mile drive north from New York City.
