Stuck horse rescued after falling through bridge

Part of the footbridge gave way beneath the horse and rider

A horse has been rescued after falling through a wooden bridge in rural west Dorset.

The animal's rear legs became trapped on Saturday afternoon when part of the footbridge over a stream gave way.

Fire crews tried multiple methods to help the horse, eventually releasing it after four hours.

After its ordeal, the animal was checked over by a vet and found only to have "a few scrapes and bruises".

Rescuers spent four hours working to release the horse

The horse's rider raised the alarm at about 16:00 GMT.

A crew and a technical rescue team from Bridport and Weymouth initially built a platform for the horse to push itself free but, with the light fading, they enlisted the help of a farmer and telehandler as they cut away part of the bridge to turn it into a ramp.

But as they attempted to get the horse's legs into place, it reared up and became further trapped in a near-vertical position.

They eventually freed the animal by placing hay bales beneath and cutting away the bridge, lifting it up and over, allowing the horse to fall the rest of the way through.

Bales of hay were placed under the bridge to support the trapped horse

A fire service spokesperson said: "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.

"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."