A horse was dramatically rescued from an overturned horsebox on the M6 toll road on Sunday evening (14 September), just hours after securing a podium finish at the National Dressage Championships.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed two crews and a specialist animal rescue team to the southbound carriageway, following reports of a horse trapped inside the vehicle.
Sue Garrard was travelling home with her horse River Rise Onassis (‘Sassy’), when their horsebox was struck from behind on the M6 toll road.
“The lorry fishtailed then tipped and went some distance on its side,” said Sue, who sustained only minor injuries, crediting the strength of the vehicle with preventing anything more serious.
“The lorry withstood the impact brilliantly and I have only minor injuries. My advice is to buy the best quality lorry you can afford.”
‘I dangled through the roof’
The layout of the horsebox, a ‘weekender’ manufactured by Foxy Horseboxes, may have saved Sassy’s life.
Travelling backwards, with the living area located at the rear, Sassy was shielded from the worst of the impact and avoided being struck directly.
Emergency crews worked at the scene for several hours, guided by the veterinary team from Pool House Equine Hospital and a veterinary nurse from the horse ambulance.
“Between them they gave the fire service team clear guidance on how to avoid further trauma and injury,” Sue added.
A statement from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said: “We were called at 5.20pm to the M6 toll south following reports of a horse being trapped in an overturned vehicle. Two crews and a further specialist animal rescue crew attended the scene. A horsebox was found on its side with the horse trapped inside.”
According to Sue it took three hours for a vet to arrive, during which time she stayed by Sassy’s side.
“I dangled through the roof for over three hours holding the horse to try and keep her calm,” she said.
Help from a stranger
Sue expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue, especially the help of a stranger who came to her aid when the crash occurred.
A groom driving horses back from the Dressage Nationals was stuck in the traffic behind the crash and called the emergency services, vets and helped to keep Sue calm.
“I have nothing but praise for the work of the fire, rescue, vets, and all the other people who saved us both that night,” said Sue.
She added that Sassy was very fortunate.
“The vets at Pool House Equine Hospital — who were superb — think she [Sassy] will make a full recovery.”
‘Her temperament saved her’
Just hours earlier, Sassy had secured a top three finish in the National Six-Year-Old Championship at Somerford Park Farm, ridden by Sadie Smith.
It is the mare’s first competition season, and Sue added that the mare took to the big occasion with a maturity beyond her years.
“She went into the arena with an incredible calmness. It was that amazing temperament that saved her in the accident,” she said.
Sue added that she would like to see a regularly updated list of emergency vets, equine hospitals and ambulances made public, possibly by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).
She urged fellow horse owners and transporters to think seriously about the low probability of high impact events and to plan trips carefully, and to use what3words to share an exact location in the event of an incident occurring.
“Owning a horse is a very costly hobby,” she said. “Investing in good equipment and having full cover from reputable insurance companies is essential when things go wrong.”
Main image by Sue Garrard
