Southwest Ranches, Fl.- Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and Southwest Ranches volunteer firefighters helped Riviera, a 19-year-old horse, get back on her feet after she was stuck in a canal Monday afternoon.
The call came in around 2:30 p.m., after Riviera's owner found her partially submerged in the canal behind a house in 17900 block of SW 68th Court. The horse's body was floating in the water and her head was resting on the edge of the canal.
Trained in large animal rescue, crews rigged special straps to lift the equine out of the water.
Due to arthritis and age, Riviera was unable to stand up. So, firefighters deployed another set of lifting straps, and with the assistance of a forklift helped her get back on all fours.
The horse did not appear to have sustained any injuries. It is unknown whether it ventured into the water to cool off, fell in or was trying to get a drink when she became stuck.
