Early Monday morning, Washoe County Animal Services and local fire crews conducted a dramatic rescue to save 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 and the homeowner’s backhoe to carefully pull the exhausted horse from the water, preventing drowning by keeping its head above the surface.

After being rescued, 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 both animals with their owner.