New Forest pony rescued from a bog by firefighters
Firefighters were called out to rescue a New Forest pony last week after it got stuck in a mire.
A dog walker called Hampshire Fire and Rescue at 11.40am last Thursday (1 April) after spotting the pony stuck in a bog at West Wellow Common, near the A36.
Firefighters believe the pony, which is blind in one eye, strayed off the main path and into the bog.
When the firecrew arrived they found the New Forest pony stuck on its side.
They inflated a rescue path to enable them to work on stable ground as it was very boggy. They then applied strops around the pony and dragged it onto hard standing.
“We believe the animal had been down for many hours, unable to help itself,” said Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service animal rescue specialist Jim Green.
“Once freed, fed and back on dry land the pony got up on its feet and was led to the warmth and safety of a stable to recover.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The pony was unhurt and reunited with its owner.
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
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.