Rescue operation after pony's spa day ruined

Firefighters rescued Apple that had got stuck in mud near his riding school home

A retired pony's spa day plans for a mud bath went a bit wrong after it got stuck in a puddle in Leicestershire.

Two fire crews were called to rescue 27-year-old Apple that had got through a fence at his home on Lychgate Farm Equestrian, in Burbage, last week.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters, including a technical team, "carefully plucked" the animal to safety using a lifting harness, with a vet present.

The rescue pony, which had been with the riding school for 20 years and now retired, "proved to be hardcore" and was back on his hooves to make a full recovery, the fire service added.

The 27-year-old pony was "carefully plucked" to safety using a lifting harness