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A mare had a lucky escape at the weekend when she was rescued from deep water, where she nearly drowned.
The grey cob was spotted struggling in the water by a passer-by at Alberta Caravan Park, Seasalter, Whitstable on Saturday (20 September).
She was up to her neck in the water and too weak to get herself out up the steep bank.
Officers from Kent Fire and Rescue and the RSPCA waded into the water to put a harness on the horse, before dragging her up the bank to safety.
She was unhurt in the incident.
“I was very relieved there was a happy ending to this one. I think we may have been just in the nick of time,” said RSPCA inspector Caz Doe.
“It didn’t look good when we arrived and to be honest, I didn’t think the horse would make it. She was absolutely exhausted and really struggling — we think she had been in the water for at least a couple of hours.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“When she was finally on dry ground, I was amazed she stood up. I had half expected her to collapse from the cold and shock. I put it down to her being in such good condition — she had fat reserves to give her energy to keep her going when other horses just wouldn’t have made it.
“It was such a good example of great teamwork — a really strong joint effort which saved the life of this animal I have no doubt.”
The mare has since been reunited with her owner.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.