Horse rescued from slurry pit [PICTURES]
A horse who became stuck in a deep slurry pit has been rescued by firefighters.
The grey gelding, Charlie, fell into the pit at a farm in Shrewsbury, Shropshire last week (26 April).
Crews from the Baschurch, Shrewbury and Wellington Fire Service arrived at 8pm and worked to free Charlie.
With the help of Fyrnwy Equine Clinic, firefighters used an inflatable path to work around Charlie, who was sedated during the rescue.
Specialist straps were passed under his body and a tractor at the farm was used to pull him from the pit.
“The horse was released from a slurry lagoon using straps and an arm loader,” said a spokesman from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
“Three fire appliances including the rescue tender were mobilised from Baschurch, Shewsbury and Wellington. An operations officer was also in attendance and a vet.”
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Charlie was freed within two hours and was not injured.
Large animal rescue training
Last month SFRS ran a large animal rescue course for firefighters.
Six students took part in the four-day course and now assist rescues with the team.
“The students thoroughly enjoyed their training, even when they were knee-deep in mud rescuing Bullseye [a dummy horse] from another tiring scenario,” watch manager Craig Jackson told H&H.
“They can now take a more active role in real rescues and have their hands on the equipment, working close to the animal.”
The animal rescue team has been running for two years and their demand is increasing.
They have rescued several horses in the past six months including three incidents previously reported on horseandhound.co.uk — a mare that was winched from a ditch after falling over on a hack, a pony rescued from a trench and a foal stuck in a slurry pit.
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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.