A HORSE was rescued by firefighters after it fell through a bridge in West Dorset.

A crew from Bridport and a technical rescue team from Weymouth was sent to the scene at just before 4pm on Saturday evening (February 22) after reports a trapped horse.

“Bridport crews were first on scene and met with the owner who guided us to the location of the incident, where they found one horse that had fallen through a bridge and was trapped by its rear legs,” a Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.

“Once all crews were on scene a plan was put together. Unfortunately due to the location and type of entrapment, standard lifting equipment wasn’t a viable option nor was the use of lifting strops under the horse.

“Initially crews set up a platform under the horse using hay bales and pallets while trying to pull the horses legs to a vertical position, to see if the horse could push itself up and out of the bridge.”

However, after multiple unsuccessful rescue attempts amid fading light and the horse growing tired, the crews came up with a second plan and tele-handler was brought in by a farmer.

“This was used to support the rear of the bridge so that crews could cut away the floor behind the horse and the supports to allow the bridge to be lowered to an angle, where again the horse could push itself up and out of the hole and be able to walk up the bridge,” the spokesperson went on.

“Crews tried multiple times to get the horses legs and the bridge in the correct position to assist the horse out, but unfortunately the horse reared up and fell further through the bridge and was now almost in a vertical position.

“The last option was to now dismantle the bridge from around the back of the horse, lay a bed of hay bales under the horse and lift the bridge up and over the horse, allowing it to fall the remainder of the way through.

“After approximately four hours the horse was freed and back up on its legs. A ramp was then made and the horse guided to a place of safety where it was checked over by the vet and found to have only suffered from a few scrapes and bruises.

“This was a challenging incident and our thanks goes to the farmers, vet and horse owners for assisting us.”

Pictures: DWFRS