THIS horse was rescued by firefighters on Boxing Day after getting stuck in a ditch on a farm in Hempton, near Deddington.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it found the horse trapped in a muddy ditch on a Nether Worton farm.

The farm owner said the horse had been frightened by something which caused it to go into the ditch.

Firefighters wearing protective dry suits used specialist large animal rescue equipment to save the horse.

A vet also helped firefighters lift the horse out of the ditch using slings.

Station commander Steve Anderson said: “Working closely with the vet, horse owner and local farmer, the firefighters put into practice nationally recognised techniques and skills endorsed by the British Equine Veterinary Association to successfully free the horse, as quickly as possible.” 

The fire service sent an engine from Deddington to the farm, along with a specialist rescue unit from Kidlington after being called at 2.45pm.

The horse was not seriously hurt and was released from the ditch after about an hour.