A seven-year-old white horse named Bailong, which means “White Dragon,” tragically passed away just days after heroically saving a drowning man in China. Although Bailong had never been in water before, the brave horse fearlessly entered the river to rescue the struggling man, according to the South China Morning Post.

A Daring Rescue

The life-saving incident happened on February 4 in Xiantao, a city in central China’s Hubei province. Bailong and its owner, Yilibai, were training near a river when they saw a man fall from a bridge. His daughter, standing on the riverbank, desperately cried out for help.

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Without hesitation, Yilibai rode Bailong straight into the river. The horse swam more than 40 meters while Yilibai held the reins in one hand and pulled the drowning man with the other. A video of the dramatic rescue quickly went viral, showcasing Bailong’s incredible courage and loyalty.

A Sudden Illness and Heartbreaking Loss

However, just six days after the rescue, Bailong became severely ill. The horse stopped eating and defecating and later developed a dangerously high fever. Local authorities quickly sent veterinarians to provide treatment, but despite their efforts, Bailong succumbed to the illness on February 11.

Yilibai, devastated by the loss, struggled to speak about it. “Bailong and I have experienced many things together. Please do not talk about it in front of me. Any mention of it will make me cry,” he said.

Meanwhile, the man who had been rescued expressed deep guilt over Bailong’s death, realizing the ultimate sacrifice the horse had made.

Reflecting on the rescue, Yilibai had previously said, “Bailong is smart. When I gave it a whip, he knew to go into the water. After seeing me pull the drowning man, he turned around and swam back. My horse and I are like family. I trust him, and he trusts me.”

Honouring Bailong’s Legacy

To recognize Bailong’s heroism, the Xiantao City government has announced plans to build a statue near the river in the horse’s honour.