A young pony who was barely able to walk after getting his back legs tightly tangled in wire fencing had a lucky escape after rescuers came to his aid.

Passers by noticed the stricken pony in the field in Wellingborough on 21 February and were concerned to see him struggling to move due to the wire around his legs.

They called the RSPCA and animal rescuer Inspector Beckie Harlock arrived to assess the situation, however, she soon saw the wire was too thick to be cut with standard wire cutters.

“This poor pony was finding it very difficult to take any steps at all as the wire was so tightly tangled around his back legs,” she said. “He really needed our help because if he’d been left any longer the wire may have cut into his skin and caused some serious damage.”

Once Becky realised the wire was too thick for the standard wire cutters she keeps in her van, she contacted the fire service for assistance.

“They have very strong heavy duty cutters that would make light work of the wire and quickly free the pony,” she said. “Luckily, they were able to spare some time to meet me at the field. I’d put a headcollar on the pony to keep him still and calm and they were able cut him free in no time.“

The pony was checked over and found to be injury-free, and Becky removed the remaining loose wire she could see in the field.

“We’re really grateful to people who contact us when animals are in need of our help,” she added. “I’m really glad we were able to help this pony out and watch him wander off with his field mates.”