Pony rescued from river after being spooked by a dog

A horse had to be hauled from a river in Berkshire after getting stuck in it last Friday (1 July).

Smoky was spotted by fishermen in the River Loddon under an overhanging tree. It is believed she ran into the water after being spooked by a dog.

Firemen arrived on the scene at 9.50pm, before being joined by a specialist animal rescue team. Together they spent 1hr 40min securing a strap around Smoky and hauling her up the bank.

Crew manager Lee Glover said: “She was quite subdued. “There was a vet on hand with a sedative in case she became panicked, but she stayed quite calm. This isn’t the first time this has happened to a horse here.”

Smoky was unharmed and is reported to be recovering well.

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