Casper the dressage horse spooked by cows falls into ditch eight feet deep

(Image credit: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue)

A “very special” dressage horse who fell into a ditch eight feet deep after he was spooked by a herd of cows had to be lifted out by firefighters who came to his rescue.

Two crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service went to the aid of Casper, who was found below ground in land off Loughborough Road, Walton on the Wolds, on Friday, 2 June.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

Casper the dressage horse spooked by cows falls into ditch eight feet deep

A spokesman for the fire service told H&H the call to large animal rescue was made at about 2.45pm, and crews from its southern and Loughborough stations were sent to the scene.

“[The crews] attended an incident where a horse called Casper had fallen into an 8ft deep ditch after being spooked by a herd of cows,” the fire service spokesman said, adding that the horse was rescued using a quick-release lifting beam.

“Casper is a very special horse, having competed at several national championships in dressage over the years. He is on the mend and seems to be healing well – he’ll be back to being ridden in no time!”

The spokesman added that Casper was left under veterinary care after he was freed from the ditch, and that the incident stop time was 5pm.

You might also be interested in:

Firefighters’ fence warning after horse rescued from canal

Firefighters cut horse free from gate in back of horsebox