Horse Trapped In Pool Rescued By Prince William County Firefighters

NOKESVILLE, VA — Firefighters rescued a "neigh-bor" from trouble in a pool in Prince William County on Sunday.

Around 11:26 a.m. Sunday, Prince William County Fire and Rescue responded to Burwell Road in Nokesville for a horse that fell into a pool. Firefighters encountered an approximately 900-pound pony in a pool that had its canvas cover on. The fire department said the horse, which belonged to the homeowner, stepped onto the canvas and fell into the pool sometime overnight. The homeowner encountered the horse in the pool's 4-foot-deep section in the morning.

Additional units, including the Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue specially trained to handle large animal rescues, were called in to help. Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Doug Monaco, a retired Prince William County Fire and Rescue member, directed the rescue. Firefighters constructed a ramp over the side of the pool into the water, and two rescuers in dry suits placed heavy-duty straps around the horse's belly and chest.

Before the horse was moved, veterinarians gave a mild sedative to keep the horse calm during the rescue. When the horse was in position on the ramp, additional rescuers above the pool hoisted the horse up and out of the pool. After the rescue, veterinarians evaluated the horse in a nearby barn.

"Thanks to the first responders' professional, safe, and coordinated efforts, no injuries were sustained by the horse or the crew," the fire department said.