"It just looked like a meadow to him, and he stepped on the ice," said his owner, Janet Waite.

The animal shook uncontrollably and was losing strength as several rescue attempts failed, according to Vermont State Police Cpl. Gary Shuhart, who responded to the incident after being flagged down by a passerby.

Finally, rescuers broke the ice in a corner of the pool and got a rope around the horse's neck, pulling him to safety and wrapping him in a blanket. He was taken to a veterinarian and treated for a cut to his left hind leg.