Florida Horse Dies After Taking a Dip in a Family Swimming Pool

Authorities help horse Shine, 23, step out of the pool in Lake Worth, Fla., on May 12, 2019. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

A pet horse is dead after falling into a family swimming pool in southern Florida on May 12.

Dark bay gelding Shine, 23, passed away just hours after the authorities rescued the equine in Lake Worth, 65 miles north of downtown Miami.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed one of its deputies quickly arrived on the scene at 12:20 p.m. after understanding a human was “drowning” only to discover the victim was actually a horse.

The deputy, who is just a few weeks from retirement, waded into the water still wearing his full uniform, sat on the steps, and calmed the Tennessee Walker horse until Palm Beach County Fire Rescue could lift the animal out with a carpet and a rig made of 2-by-4s.

“‪This poor horse fell into the pool today. Luckily our deputy on the scene was there to calm the horse down before Palm Beach County Fire Rescue removed him from [the] pool,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post dated May 12. “This deputy has 22 days left before retiring.”

Shine had a seizure and died from colic and an intestinal obstruction, according to The Associated Press, not from his fall into the pool.

New Spirit Farms operator Erica Lucas said Shine was distressed and fell in the pool after trying to have a drink.

“Shine had an impaction. He fell in the pool while we were trying to get him to eat some grass but after he was treated he had a rupture,” she said in a Facebook comment on May 12.

Shine passed away despite receiving intravenous medication. Lucas said she was devastated by the tragic loss as the horse had been a family pet since the family moved from Ohio to Florida. Shine was one of six horses, including rescue animals, and carried more than 1,000 children who learned to ride with the most recent class being held on May 11.

The horse “got safely out of the pool,” Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) Public Information Officer Capt. Albert Borroto told the Palm Beach Post.

“This poor horse fell into the pool today. Around 12:30 p.m. we got the call and luckily our deputy on the scene was there to calm the horse down before PBCFR removed him from pool,” PBCFR said in a Twitter post.

Each year many animals to find their way into Florida pools. In April another Florida family woke up to find an alligator in their swimming pool.