Firefighters rescue ‘exhausted’ horse stuck in mud near Wantage

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service responded to the large animal rescue incident in Denchworth on Friday, at about 6.30pm.

A horse called Max had become stuck in ‘deep mud in a gully’ and was ‘completely exhausted’ when the fire crews reached him.

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Fire engines from Abingdon, Bampton and Wantage, along with Kidlington Fire Station’s specialist rescue tender and an incident support officer, worked with a local vet on the scene.

Specialist equipment was used to carefully free the struggling horse and he was safely recovered.

Max was stuck in deep mud in a gully before he was rescued (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue)

A statement from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said: “Yesterday evening, we responded to a large animal rescue incident in Denchworth.

“Max the horse had unfortunately become stuck in deep mud in a gully and was completely exhausted.

“Working alongside a local vet, our dedicated crews and specialist teams used specialist equipment to carefully free Max from the gully.

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“We are pleased to report that the operation was a success and Max is now back on his feet.

“Well done to all involved for their teamwork and expertise.”

Max was pictured upright, though a little mucky, on the scene of the rescue incident, with his owner and fire crews taking care of the horse after his lucky escape.