Spooked horse ends up in Florida pool — so officials bring out a tractor, video shows

Residents called 911 when a horse on their property got stuck in their swimming pool, according to Florida fire officials.

Then, rescuers brought in a tractor.

A large animal rescue team responded to a home in Zephyrhills at about 5:30 p.m. June 20, according to the Pasco County Fire Rescue.

The horse had been spooked by another horse, ran up onto the deck and fell into the above-ground pool, Pasco County spokesman Corey Dierdorff told McClatchy News in a phone interview.

A veterinarian arrived at the home with rescuers to partially sedate the horse so it would remain calm, Dierdorff said.

Video of the rescue shows a fire official in the pool with the horse, strapping a harness around the animal. Another rescuer helps steady the animal’s head as a tractor slowly hoists it out of the water.

The horse was not injured and was in “good spirits” after the rescue, Dierdorff said.

Zephyrhills is about 80 miles southwest of Orlando.

This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Spooked horse ends up in Florida pool — so officials bring out a tractor, video shows."