On Thursday, the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority shared the story of a dramatic horse rescue from icy waters.

According to firefighters, the horse had wandered through a fence and onto a frozen pond near South County Road 13 in Loveland. The ice gave way under the horse’s weight, plunging it into the freezing water below.

Rescue crews, equipped with ice suits, entered the frigid water and used axes and sledgehammers to break a path through the ice back to shore. They successfully guided the horse to safety, bringing it out of the water and onto solid ground.

“The rescued horse was warming up and recovering as crews picked up equipment and returned to service,” reported the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority.

The operation was a collaborative effort, with assistance from the Berthoud Fire Protection District, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services, and the City of Loveland Water and Power Department.

Author: Una

Una moved to Colorado in 2007 and started the Colorado Horse Forum as a way to meet other equestrians in the area. Una now rides and competes in dressage. She operates a small dressage horse breeding program in Castle Rock.