‘His trust in me saved his legs’: cob rescued after freak field accident
A “fantastic and fearless” coloured cob in East Yorkshire has been rescued after a freak accident.
Piebald gelding Bob attempted to jump out of his field, but knocked down the gate in the process.
He caught three of his legs between the bars and could not free himself.
His owner, Mark Walker, kept the eight-year-old calm while a friend called the fire service and a vet.
“He panicked for about 30 seconds before realising there was nothing he could do other than calm down,” said Mark.
“He paid attention to me telling him to keep still and seemed to understand what I was saying.
“His trust in me saved his legs.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Bob was sedated and firefighters worked to free him from the metal gate using heavy-duty cutting equipment.
He was left with superficial cuts to his legs and is set to make a full recovery.
“We led him away from the gate so he could come round on his own accord and then took him round to his stable,” said Mark.
Mark, who only started riding 18 months ago and enjoys hunting and cross-country with Bob, said he was “phenomenally grateful” to his vet, Ellie Child of Rainbow Equine Hospital, and the fire service.
Continued below…
Firefighters rescue pony stuck between two trees
A five-year-old New Forest pony had to be rescued by firefighters last week after getting wedged between two trees
Owners find mare stuck in swimming pool
Bay mare Baby escaped from her field and accidentally fell into the water
Pregnant Shire stuck in seven-foot deep cess pit overnight
A four-month pregnant Shire has been winched from a cess pit after falling through a concrete cover at Moss, near
“My vet said if he’d been a thoroughbred he would probably had to have been put down [as he would have panicked],” said Mark.
“I’d never felt mentally exhausted until this. That night I needed a drink. It was nice to know he was back in his stable and calm.
“He was very lucky. He’s fantastic and fearless.
“I galloped him the second time I rode him, he’s one in a million.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
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
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.