An in-foal mare has been rescued from a man hole by firefighters in Gloucestershire.

The chestnut horse at a Minsterworth yard had trapped her leg and was unable to free herself on Wednesday morning (12 January).

Two crews of firefighters from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and an Incident Support Unit came to the horse’s aid.

Animal rescue equipment was used to pull her free and before she was back on her feet.

The mare was seen eating a feed contentedly later that day.

Heroic efforts

Last month (31 December) Your Horse reported on the rescue of a horse by firefighters from a dyke in Essex.

The unfortunate equine was stuck in silt and water up to his stomach.

Firefighters from Burnham, Tillingham and Rochford, Chelmsford Animal Rescue Unit and an off-road vehicle, rushed to Marsh Road in Burnham to help the horse.

He was sedated by a vet before being lifted from the water using a hoist attached to a fire engine.

Just days earlier crews pulled a horse from a ditch in West Dorset.

The bay gelding was wedged on his side and unable to free himself.

His owners kept his head above water while a crew from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFireRescue) pulled him free.

He was able to stand on his own and was checked over by a vet.

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