Hampshire firefighters rescue Romie the horse after she becomes trapped in a ditch

Thirteen-year-old Romie had got her hind legs stuck in thick mud in a field in Sway in the New Forest National Park. Fire crews could be seen attaching a harness around the 16-hand mare’s body before hoisting her to safety with a manitou heavy lifting vehicle.

Romie was sedated and a head covering was used to prevent her from becoming distressed.

A statement from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Crews from New Milton, Brockenhurst, Winchester and Eastleigh were mobilised at 9.18am yesterday to Lower Mead End Road in Sway.

‘A horse had become stuck in a ditch and her back legs weren’t visible. Barn Equine vets were on scene and sedated the horse for the rescue.’

After the successful rescue, crews were stood down at 12.20pm. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: ‘Being a firefighter with Team Hants means it's not just fires’.

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