Frosty, a black gelding, is shown after being rescued from an icy creek near Cochin on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. He was later taken to Lakeland Veterinary Services for care. (submitted/Leslie-Ann Smith)

By Kenneth Cheung

RESCUE

‘It’s a heroic effort’: Horse rescue near Cochin brings community together

Jan 8, 2026 | 5:15 PM

When they saw the black gelding in the icy water of Lehman’s Creek, the people standing along the bank already knew one thing — this was going to take all of them.

The horse, now known as Frosty, had fallen through the ice near one of Cochin’s bridges on Wednesday morning. By mid-morning, word had quickly spread through the village, drawing residents, passersby and nearby First Nations community members to the scene.

“It was pretty remarkable,” said Cochin Mayor Mark Pattinson. “When they’re an animal in distress, for the most part, people do whatever it takes to save that animal, you know?”

Frosty, a black gelding, is shown stuck in an icy creek near Cochin on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, before being rescued with help from residents and passersby. (submitted/ Leslie-Ann Smith)

Pattinson said he first received a call from the village office around 9:20 a.m. reporting a horse in the creek. After checking one bridge, he headed to another location south toward Murray Lake, where the animal was spotted about 100 yards from shore.

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“We’re not sure how long it had been in there, but it was pretty exhausted and frosted,” he said. “Its face was covered in ice and stuff.”

Using ropes and a winch attached to a Jeep, a group of residents worked together to pull the horse from the water. He said more people continued to arrive as vehicles slowed along the road.

“There were for sure a lot of people there,” he said, estimating about a dozen, including law enforcement.

“People just kind of stepped in and stepped up and we all worked together.”

Once out of the creek, the horse struggled to stand. A large blanket was brought over from a nearby home, and the group slowly walked the animal roughly three blocks to the village’s heated maintenance shop to warm him up.

Frosty is shown wrapped in a blanket.(submitted/ Leslie-Ann Smith)

Leslie-Ann Smith had spotted the horse earlier that morning.

“And I messaged [Pattinson], but there were already some individuals down there.”

Smith said Pattinson later called her husband, Gerry Smith, explaining that while the horse was safe, there was still no plan for what to do next. With no owner located and no one else able to take the horse, the Smiths stepped in.

“My husband ran home to our place — we’re south of Battleford — and got our horse trailer,” she said. “And he picked me up and we went out to Cochin and we picked up this horse.”

Frosty is shown being loaded into a trailer after being rescued from an icy creek near Cochin on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (submitted/ Leslie-Ann Smith)

Frosty is shown at Cochin’s village maintenance shop after being rescued from an icy creek near the community on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (submitted/ Leslie-Ann Smith)

Before transporting him, Smith had already contacted Lakeland Veterinary Services in North Battleford to arrange care.

At the clinic, Frosty was found to have an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, which Smith said could be due to prolonged cold exposure and discomfort.

“He might have some frozen or really cold limbs,” she said. “So we’re going to go day by day and make a decision on what kind of care the horse is going to need.”

For now, Frosty remains under veterinary care. Once he’s cleared, the Smiths plan to bring him to their farm — where they already care for eight horses — to continue his recovery.

“And then we’ll be looking for a home for him.”

(submitted/ Leslie-Ann Smith)

Throughout the day, Smith said messages continued to come in from people offering help, including financial support.

“Other people have come forward saying, ‘Let me know what you need,’” she said. “When it comes down to finances with the vet, let us know. We can do a fundraiser or we’d like to donate.”

“It was a big undertaking to get that horse out of that creek. It’s a heroic effort.”

For now, she said they’re waiting until they know what Frosty will need before accepting any funding. As Frosty recovers, the people who helped save him are doing what they’ve done all along — waiting, watching and ready to step in again if needed.

“At the end of the day,” Smith said, “we’re hoping to have a healthy, happy horse going home to someone.”

Smith said anyone wanting to help can reach out to her at las406@icloud.com or contact Pattinson directly at 306-481-3524 to see what support may be needed at this stage.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com