Alachua County sheriff deputies, fire rescue and La Crosse Fire Rescue saved a drowning horse from a retention pond in northwest side of the county on Tuesday.  

The exhausted horse was sideways in the pond and couldn’t keep its head clear of the water, according to a sheriff’s office post. Rescue workers jumped into the pond to hold the horse’s head above water.  

The rest of the responders decided to pull the horse out with a winch and makeshift harness from a 6-inch strap. Once in position, the team started the winch and pulled the horse free.  

After lying on the ground for a time, the horse regained strength and began walking around again to cheers from the responders.  

“Get away from that water, buddy. There you go,” a rescuer said while leading the horse away. 

Law enforcement reunited the horse with its owner and said there appeared to be no injuries.