Trapped horse freed from ditch in Newport field
[gallery] Firefighters and vets were called today after a horse got stuck in a ditch in a field in Newport.
Officers from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service used specialist equipment to pull the animal out of the Strine Brook.
The A41 close to the scene was partially closed during the rescue. It is thought the black horse had been stuck in the boggy ditch for some time, possibly overnight. It was sedated by vets, dragged to safety and this afternoon appeared to be none the worse for its ordeal.
Rob Shepherd, animal rescue specialist at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters had recently had training in dealing with large animals.
He said: "We put the techniques into action and dragged the horse out by hand using strops. Our training really paid off. It has now been handed over to the RSPCA and they will try to trace the owner."
Paula Scales, of Tern Veterinary Group in Market Drayton, said: "We sedated the horse to make it safe for everyone. There was no obvious damage to the horse."
Fire crews from Newport and Wellington and an officer from Shrewsbury attended at about 7.50am. They had to wait for a vet to arrive, eventually leaving at about noon. The rescue itself took about an hour-and-a-half.
The westbound carriageway of the A41 was closed while the operation took place. It was reopened at 11.50am.
