Horses Rescued From Frozen Pond in Western New York

Emergency crews raced to the scene after reports of horses trapped in frigid water.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Two horses fell through the ice of a frozen pond in East Aurora, New York, and became trapped in the frigid water. Emergency responders, including additional fire crews, were called to the scene and successfully rescued the horses just before 9 p.m. on Monday night.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges first responders face during extreme winter weather conditions, as well as the risks to livestock and animals when ponds and other bodies of water freeze over. The rescue operation required a coordinated effort to save the trapped horses.

The details

Multiple reports on social media indicated that the horses were trapped up to their necks in the frigid water of the pond in the 4300 block of Reiter Road in East Aurora. When the East Aurora Fire Chief arrived, additional fire companies were immediately called in to assist with the rescue operation.

  • The call came in late on Monday afternoon.
  • The horses were successfully removed from the ice just before 9 p.m. on Monday night.

The players

East Aurora Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the emergency call and led the rescue operation.

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What’s next

The horses are expected to receive veterinary care to assess any injuries sustained during the ordeal.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of exercising caution around frozen bodies of water, especially during the winter months, to protect both people and animals from the dangers of falling through the ice.