Thankfully, this harrowing story has a happy ending.
Horse Rescued from Frozen Pond After Dramatic Rescue Effort
Earlier this week, Ali Ernst returned to her farm in upstate New York, only to be met with a terrifying sight—her horse, Sly, had wandered onto a frozen pond, oblivious to the danger beneath him.
Then, the unthinkable happened.
“One of my worst fears came true,” Ernst wrote.
The ice cracked, plunging Sly into the freezing water. Trapped and unable to climb out, he struggled to stay afloat.
Ernst acted immediately. As she scrambled to call for help, she accidentally snapped a photo of the desperate moment, fearing it might be the last picture she ever took of her beloved horse.
But help arrived just in time.
Friends, neighbors, and first responders from the Sarasota Springs Police Department rushed to the scene, working together to pull Sly from the icy water. Body camera footage captured the dramatic rescue as the team fought to free him.
Once safely on solid ground, Sly was rushed to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, despite his harrowing ordeal, he showed no signs of lasting harm.
“Sly is home and fine!” Ernst shared. “He has made a full recovery.”
While Sly may think twice before stepping onto a frozen pond again, Ernst is already planning measures to prevent future accidents. For now, she’s simply grateful for the overwhelming support that saved her horse’s life.
“Sly’s dreams of being an Olympic figure skater are over,” Ernst joked, “but he is alive and well, thanks to everyone who jumped to help him.”