Horse dies falling into frozen canal in Warwickshire

An elderly horse has died after falling into a frozen canal in Warwickshire.

Rosie, a 29-year-old cob owned by the Champ Equine Rescue Charity, escaped through an open gate and onto the frozen canal, where she fell through the ice.

Stratford-upon-Avon Fire and Rescue attended the scene but could not save the horse.

Penny Tubbs, who runs the charity, told local press: “She was very old. I think her heart gave up.”

Earlier that week (Thursday 23 December) a second horse from the same centre had a lucky escape after falling into the same canal in Wootton Wawen.

The three-year-old horse, called Meg, had to be rescued by firefighters after a dog walker raised the alarm at around 9am. Firefighters cut a channel through the ice to bring the horse to safety.

Mrs Tubbs added: “She decided for some unknown reason to go for a walk on the canal. She got to the far side and I think she tried to jump out and, of course, jumping broke the ice. She fell in and couldn’t get back because the ice behind her was solid.”

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