By Natalie Sherman
The Boston Herald
SWANSEA, Mass. — A 900-pound horse named Rocket had to be launched out of a Swansea pool yesterday, after he slipped through an open gate, mistook a green pool cover for solid ground and splashed onto his side on top of the rapidly sinking material.
Rocket was flailing in the Pearse Road pool, unable to regain his footing, when the fire department showed up. In 15 minutes, 17 volunteer firefighters successfully wrapped a hose around his belly and tugged him onto the cement, Swansea fire Chief Peter Burke said.
“It wasn’t like he was swimming around in the pool. Because of the cover he couldn’t get his feet under him,” he said.
This is the third horse rescue for the department, but its first in a pool - conditions that proved dangerous after the animal’s panic sent one of his would-be saviors to the hospital with a possibly broken arm.
Rocket was not seriously injured and recuperated quickly after his owners wrapped him in blankets, Burke said.
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