A seven-year-old horse named Bailong, or “White Dragon,” in central China’s Hubei province has won the hearts of many after its heroic efforts to rescue a man who fell into a river. On February 4, while being trained near the river by its owner, Yilibai, a man fell into the water. Without hesitation, Bailong sprang into action when Yilibai commanded it, even though the horse had never been in water before. The brave horse’s quick response helped rescue the man, making it a hero in the eyes of many.
However, shortly after the rescue, Bailong began to show signs of illness. The horse developed a fever and grew weak in the following days. On February 10, it suddenly stopped eating and was unable to defecate. The fever returned and lasted for several hours. Local authorities sent veterinarians to diagnose the issue, and Bailong was found to have intestinal obstruction, a condition known for its high fatality rate in horses. Despite receiving medication to reduce inflammation, the horse passed away on February 11, just a week after its heroic act.
Yilibai, who had raised Bailong for over a year, was devastated by the loss. He shared his sorrow, saying he and the horse had shared many experiences together, and he could not bear to talk about it without tearing up. A close friend of Yilibai revealed that the man who had been rescued felt guilty about Bailong’s death, though Yilibai reassured him that the horse had passed away due to illness, unrelated to the rescue.
Local authorities handled Bailong’s body with care and respect, and they plan to honor the horse’s bravery by erecting a statue near the river. The local chamber of commerce has also pledged to send a new white horse to Yilibai as a gift in memory of Bailong. The death of the heroic animal has moved many, with people across China expressing their sorrow and admiration for Bailong’s courage. Online comments have described the horse as an inspiration, with one saying, “Bailong’s spirit will forever inspire us,” and another adding, “Bailong will always be remembered.”
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