Trapped pony rescued from pond

A brown pony stuck in a muddy pond, its back and head above the water.Image source, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
Image caption,

The pony was spotted by a family staying at a campsite in the New Forest

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A pony has been rescued after being found trapped neck-deep in a pond.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service said a "sharp-eyed" family staying at an Ashurst campsite in the New Forest in Hampshire reported the pony stuck in the "treacherous" pond on Monday evening.

It sent an animal rescue officer and crews from Lyndhurst and Winchester at about 21:00 BST to the site on Lyndhurst Road.

The firefighters used their own inflatable paths to reach the animal and release it from the pond.

The same scene but from further away. Trees and branches are along the water's edge, and branches float on the surface.Image source, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
Image caption,

The pony was stuck in the "treacherous" pond on Monday evening

Inflatable paths are placed on the ground and over the water. Fire crews traverse them to reach the pony.Image source, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
Image caption,

The firefighters used inflatable paths to reach the animal

They were assisted at the location by an agister, a local official who helps with the management of the animals in the New Forest.

Thousands of ponies, cattle and donkeys roam free in the area.

The service said after it was retrieved from the water the "young and fit pony quickly recovered and was soon back off into the New Forest countryside".

The crews returned to their stations shortly after 00:00 BST.

The pony is sat on the forest floor after being rescued. Crews in hard hats look on.Image source, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
Image caption,

The pony quickly recovered and soon returned to the countryside

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