Early Monday morning, Washoe County Animal Services and local fire crews conducted a dramatic rescue of a horse that had fallen into a swimming pool near Thomas Creek Road after mistaking the pool cover for solid ground. Responding shortly after 3 a.m., rescuers worked in the dark using specialized large animal rescue equipment to keep the exhausted horse’s head above water and prevent drowning. The homeowner’s backhoe was then used to carefully pull the horse from the pool.

After the rescue, the horse was covered with blankets and taken to Comstock Equine Hospital, where it was found to have only minor cuts, abrasions, and exhaustion. Animal services also located the owner of the rescued horse and a second horse found nearby, successfully reuniting them both.