Rescuers battled for hours to rescue a horse after its back legs fell through a bridge and the animal got trapped.
Fire crews were called into action by a panicked owner after the horse became stuck with its rear legs falling through the crossing in West Dorset yesterday afternoon.
Firefighters had to attempt various tactics to free the horse, which included setting up hay bales and pallets to create a platform to help the stricken victim force itself up.
They also tried to lower the bridge so the horse could manoeuvre out – only for the animal to rear up instead and plunge further through the structure.
Eventually firefighters had to dismantle the bridge behind the horse and lift the bridge up to get it out.
The salvage mission has now been welcomed while also described as a ‘challenging’ incident.
And there was relief that the horse appeared to have only ‘a few scrapes and bruises’.
A fire crew from Bridport, a technical rescue team from Weymouth and a supporting officer were called out on Saturday at about 4pm, officials have said.
Fire crews were called into action by a panicked owner after a horse became stuck with its rear legs falling through a bridge in West Dorset on Saturday
Firefighters had to attempt various tactics to free the horse, which included setting up hay bales and pallets to create a platform to help the stricken victim force itself up
The rescue efforts, which began at about 4pm, continued for several hours before success
They faced difficulties in response to the unusual situation, with none of the fire service’s usual animal rescues proving suitable – including standard lifting equipment and lifting strops.
Yet crews came up with an answer, despite night-time dark drawing in – and finally freed the horse at about 8am after working with lights.
A spokesperson for Bridport Fire Station, in the town which is about 45 miles west of Bournemouth, has described the rescue efforts.
They said: ‘Initially crews set up a platform under the horse using hay bales and pallets whilst trying to pull the horses legs to a vertical position to see if the horse could push itself up and out of the bridge.
‘After multiple attempts, fading light and the horse now getting tired, a second plan was formulated.
‘A tele-handler was brought in by a farmer. This was used to support the rear of the bridge so that crews could cut away the floor behind the horse and the supports to allow the bridge to be lowered to an angle, where again the horse could push itself up and out of the hole and be able to walk up the bridge.
‘Crews tried multiple times to get the horse’s legs and the bridge in the correct position to assist the horse out, but unfortunately the horse reared up and fell further through the bridge and was now almost in a vertical position.
‘The last option was to now dismantle the bridge from around the back of the horse, lay a bed of hay bales under the horse and lift the bridge up and over the horse, allowing it to fall the remainder of the way through.
Crews tried to lower the bridge so the horse could manoeuvre out – only for the animal to rear up instead and plunge further through the structure
The mission which went on for four hours has been described as a ‘challenging’ operation
There was also relief that the horse appeared to have only a few scrapes and bruises
A spokesperson for Bridport Fire Station said ‘Crews tried multiple times to get the horse’s legs and the bridge in the correct position to assist the horse out’
They added: ‘The last option was to now dismantle the bridge from around the back of the horse, lay a bed of hay bales under the horse and lift the bridge up and over the horse’
A fire crew from Bridport, a technical rescue team from Weymouth and a supporting officer were called out on Saturday at about 4pm
Crews came up with an answer, despite night-time dark drawing in – and finally freed the horse at about 8am on Saturday after working with lights
‘After approximately four hours, the horse was freed and back up on its legs.’
The spokesperson told how a ramp was constructed, allowing the horse to be ‘guided to a place of safety’.
The animal was also given checks by a vet who found it had ‘only suffered from a few scrapes and bruises’.
The fire station official added: This was a challenging incident and our thanks goes to the farmers, vet and horse owners for assisting us.’
