Francesca Capozzi The timely intervention of a team of police officers allowed them to recover a horse that ended up in a frozen lake. The exceptional rescue was captured by a body cam of one of the officers present on the scene. The animal is alive and safe
What began as a quiet Monday in Saratoga Springs, New York, quickly turned into a frantic race against time after the local police answered a life-or-death emergency with a horse in distress.
It was an accident which occurred when one horse, named Sly, crashed through the frozen surface of an icy lake and became stuck in the icy water. The life of the creature hung precariously as he was rescued by his owner Ali Ernst. She tried her level best to push him out but kept his head above the surface of the water and tried reassuring him.
“We’re going to get through this together”
While struggling to defend Sly, Ali called the Saratoga Springs Police Department at once and pleaded for assistance. A first officer arrived on the scene to assess the situation pending backup.
After the horse and the whole team arrived on the scene, the officers acted quickly. Officers tied a rope around Sly’s halter and yanked the huge horse out of the frozen trap as a team. The entire rescue was captured on a body-worn camera, showing raw intensity and determination of the rescue effort.
WARNING: This video may be difficult for some to watch.SSPD OFFICERS HELP RESCUE HORSE FALLEN THROUGH ICEOn Monday, February 24th, 2025 at 3:45pm, Saratoga Springs Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a horse that had fallen through ice and was stuck in a pond. The horse was in imminent danger of freezing to death. Patrol Division officers were sent to the call and immediately began rescue efforts upon arrival. Officer Kyle Clinton was first on scene and began to assist the owner in pulling the horse out with a rope. Officers Kris Camarro and Dominic Martuscello arrived shortly after Officer Clinton and immediately began helping to pull the horse out of the water. Working as a team, the horse owner and SSPD officers succeeded in rescuing the horse from the frozen pond. After reaching solid ground, the horse was able to get to its feet and was walked to a barn to begin receiving veterinarian care.The determined effort, strength and teamwork displayed by our officers serve as an excellent example of the character this department observes among its personnel on a daily basis. We are proud of their work and are grateful for the opportunity to share this incident with the Saratoga Springs community. Please join us in congratulating them on a job well done.You can also watch this footage on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/wAsbNFfXe3g?si=fH6cOlUn_uNS-hEOAxon
Posted by Saratoga Springs Police Department on Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Every second felt like an hour
Onlookers and residents were on hand at the scene, offering support to the rescuers and Ali. Against odds, the officers prevailed. Sly was rescued from the frozen water unharmed — cold, traumatized, but alive.
Within minutes of the rescue, Sly was back on his feet and started walking slowly with Ali leading him. To be sure he had not sustained any permanent damage, she took him to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, a specialty veterinary clinic where she is employed.
Teamwork saved his life
Several days later, Sly was well enough to return home. Everybody was shaken but grateful after the ordeal. Thanks to prompt action and a cohesive team effort, disaster was narrowly avoided.
As for Sly, he’s now on strict orders: no more strolls alongside frigid lakes.
Sly's dreams of being an Olympic figure skater are over. But he is alive and well, thanks to everyone who jumped to help him yesterday.
Posted by Ali Ernst on Tuesday, February 25, 2025
