A piebald pony was rescued from a river in Essex by a team of firefighters on Monday morning (29 November).
Crews from Grays and Chelmsford Animal Rescue Unit were called to Churchill Road in Grays at 7.07am after the traditional cob slipped from an icy bank and fell into the river.
Credit: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
The coloured pony was trapped in the cold waist-high water between two steep banks.
After catching the pony, rescuers placed straps around his hindquarters and used man-power to pull him onto dry land.
“Our Animal Rescue Unit from Chelmsford waded into the water and guided the horse to the verge where crews and its owner lifted it to safety,” said a spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
The horse was left in the care of its owner to recover, the fire service said.
Veteran mare rescued from ditch
Chelmsford Animal Rescue Unit also came to the aid of an elderly horse earlier this year.
Credit: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
The 21-year-old skewbald had become trapped in a ditch full of water in Bromley Road, Elmstead, and was lying down, unable to move.
Joined by crews from Colchester and Urban Search and Rescue, the team reassured the horse alongside a vet and worked with a local farmer to lift the horse out of her predicament.
The mare was able to get back to her feet and was left in the care of her owners and the vet.
“Thanks to the crews for their hard work in difficult conditions, it was great to see the horse trotting off happily,” said Station Manager Dave Bond, Incident Commander.
“Incidents like this highlight the variety of skills firefighters are required to have in order to achieve successful outcomes.”
