Horse Rescued By Firefighters

Firefighters have helped a 31-year-old horse get back up on her feet after falling over a dead tree in a field near Eastleigh.

At 15:07 on Friday 11 May 2012 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted with a call to attend to a horse which had slipped and fallen over a dead tree in a field on Brambridge Park, near Eastleigh. 

Control operators mobilised one fire appliance and the multi-role vehicle from Eastleigh  Fire Station and the animal rescue vehicle team from Lyndhurst, together with an Animal Rescue Specialist to the scene.

On arrival crews assessed the situation and ensured that all onlookers were at a safe distance from the horse whilst Animal Rescue Specialist Buster Brown worked with a vet from Stable Close Equine Veterinary Practice  to formulate a plan of action to assist the 31 year old Welsh Cob mare which was unable to stand.  

He said: “Firefighters assisted in cutting and removing the branches of the tree which was surrounding Myah to ensure that she did not receive further injury during the operation to get her back up on her feet.  Crews used a sideways skid technique into clear ground before rolling the horse over.  The vet assessed Myah’s injuries before she was lifted by the farmers tractor using a specialist harness.”

Horse Myah rescued by firefighters







He continued: “This incident is another example that demonstrates the importance of good partnership working between the fire service and veterinary experts in ensuring the safe rescue of distressed animals. It also shows how modern rescue techniques and approaches are improving the viability of animals in distress and the safety of everyone present at such an incident.

"Any animal, small or large, that is trapped or in distress can be potentially dangerous. It is important to try and keep the animal calm, keep humans away, and request the immediate assistance of the fire and rescue service’s specialists to rescue the animal, rather than attempting to do so themselves.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has a team of four Animal Rescue specialists. The dedicated team are leading the way in animal rescue work in the UK, with other fire and rescue service’s learning from their example. Their role is not solely responding to incidents, they are also heavily involved in education and the development of new rescue techniques, as well as promoting animal welfare.

Fellow Animal Rescue Specialist Anton Phillips from Eastleigh Fire Station had come to the assistance of Myah on three previous occasions on this piece of land, which coincidentally is owned by his father.  

He advised: “She is a very old horse who is kept as a pet and occasionally gets herself in some unusual predicaments.  Myah is currently being treated with painkillers and is expected to make a full recovery from her ordeal.”