18 horses had to be rescued from 2ft deep flood water in Dorset yesterday (Thursday 6 February).
The RSPCA’s dedicated water rescue team saved the horses from a field in Christchurch.
Some areas of the field were so flooded the horses had to swim.
20 members of the RSCPA team took part in the rescue mission — setting up a corral and rope fences across the water to form a channel for the horses to go through and enter the safe area.
“We had been taking food out to these horses and have been monitoring them since the area flooded as they were healthy and we hoped that flood waters would recede,” said RSPCA inspector Jason Finch who coordinated the water rescue team
“However, it became clear that, with the worsening weather and further rain forecast we had to take the decision to move these horses.
“The horses did not want to go through the deeper waters and we had to urge them on. The actual rescue took about 2hr.
“We’re pleased that the rescue was successful and that the horses are home and dry.”
The horses were loaded onto trailers and taken to a safe place by their owners.
4 other horses nearby were also brought to safety in a separate rescue by the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare. They were taken to safety by World Horse Welfare.
