A 22-year-old horse had to be rescued by firefighters after it became stuck in a muddy pond on Carbis Moor, near St Austell in Cornwall. The animal was discovered on the morning of 2 January, standing around three feet deep in mud and water, and was unable to free itself.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene and quickly began a carefully planned rescue operation. Firefighters first cleared away thick vegetation and undergrowth around the edge of the pond to create safe access for both the rescue team and the horse. This also helped prevent the animal from becoming further trapped.
Once the area was prepared, crews used specialist rescue equipment, including a winch, to slowly and safely haul the horse out of the pond. The operation was carried out with care to avoid causing the horse any injury or additional stress.
After being successfully freed, the horse was placed back into the care of its owner and examined by a vet to check its condition. Fire crews confirmed the rescue was successful and the horse was safely returned following the incident.