The Dramatic Rescue of Sly the Horse from Icy Pond

SEE IT: New York police save horse from icy pond in dramatic rescue

The Dramatic Rescue of Sly

A Community’s Determination Saves a 1,300-Pound Friend

Sly is a 1,300-pound quarter horse. He fell through the ice of an upstate New York pond. A community’s strength saved him. Their determination and quick thinking brought him back to safety.

Ali Ernst, Sly’s owner, had just arrived home from work. She saw her three horses playing on the frozen pond. It was a common sight. Moments later, she noticed that 22-year-old Sly had broken through the ice. He was struggling to stay afloat in the freezing water.

“I was losing the battle to keep him above water alone,” Ernst recalled.

She frantically called for help while holding onto Sly’s halter to keep his head above water. Officer Kyle Clinton was the first to arrive, helping Ernst support Sly’s head on the ice. Soon, more officers, neighbors, and family members joined in the desperate effort.

“One, two, three, pull!” they shouted, straining with all their might.

“I threw all the rope in the hole and just started pulling it back in sheer hopes that I caught a hind leg, and I did, and we all just started to pull,” Ernst said.

With three ropes secured, a team of about nine people worked together, battling the icy conditions and exhaustion. After an intense struggle, they finally managed to pull Sly from the freezing water. Weak and shivering, he lay on the ground for several minutes before finding the strength to stand.

Sly was rushed to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, where Ernst works as a technician. He was initially hypothermic but, thanks to the swift rescue, made a full recovery and return home.

“There’s an electric fence up around the pond now,” Ernst stated, ensuring such a close call never happens again.

Sly’s miraculous rescue shows the power of teamwork and resilience. It highlights the deep bond between humans and their beloved animals.

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