Horse rescued after getting stuck in muddy ditch with fire crews and specialist animal team rushing to its aid

The 14-hand horse was stuck up to the middle of its leg in water in the ditch off of West Lane in Hayling Island on Friday, February 6. Firefighters attended the scene at around 9am before being joined by specialist animal crews and a vet to help free the horse safely.

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A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters began cutting away at the thick gorse and trees in order to access the animal, before specialist animal crews from Lyndhurst and Winchester arrived on scene.

“A local vet attended to administer a sedation, allowing the firefighters to manually lift and manoeuvre the horse, who was then left in the care of his owner.”

Firefighters left the scene just after 11.30am.