Horse rescued from ditch

3:11pm Sunday 13th January 2008

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AN ELDERLY horse had to be rescued by Basingstoke firefighters yesterday after falling into an icy ditch.

It is thought that Velvet, a 32-year-old New Forest mare, who lives on a farm in Goddards Lane, Sherfield-on-Loddon, had been trapped in the water-filled ditch for several hours before the alarm was raised at around 11am.

Fire crews and animal rescue advisers from Basingstoke and Eastleigh were called to the scene, where they spent around one hour working with the RSPCA and a vet to prepare the freezing and exhausted horse for rescue.

Brambles and foliage were removed from the surrounding area and Velvet was eventually lifted out of the ditch, which was five to six-feet deep.

Rural safety officer Anton Phillips, who co-ordinated the rescue, said: "The horse was very elderly and stiff, as she had been in the water for several hours. Her owner was also very distressed.

"Three firefighters went into the ditch wearing dry suits as the water, which went up to their knees, was incredibly cold.

"It was a dangerous job. The horse weighed around 350kg - more than the weight of three men.

"Velvet was beginning to suffer from hypothermia and as soon as she was out we covered her in blankets to keep her warm. She was soon back on her feet.

"When you consider that, in human terms, Velvet is about 80 years old, this was an excellent result."

Mr Phillips said it appeared that Velvet had stumbled through a hedge before falling into the ditch but he was confident that she would be none the worse for her ordeal.