A horse has been rescued after falling into a swimming pool near Wedmore in Somerset.

Wild horses

Builders discovered the horse standing in the pool early Thursday morning (11 October). He was one of three wild horses that had wandered onto a private estate, which was being renovated.

The owner of the property wasn’t at home, so the builders called the Cheddar and Bridgwater fire crew to help get the youngster out. They then attended the scene along with RSPCA representatives.

Fire service spokesman Paul Slaven told local newspaper, Bridgewater Mercury, that the pool was nine foot deep at one end, and two foot deep at the other. Using the boom covering the pool they herded the horse into the shallow end.

Skittish and unbroken

Although the horse was not distressed, Slaven said he was “skittish and unbroken” so a vet was called to sedate him before a harness was fitted and he was pulled to safety.

“It was unharmed, which is the main thing, and it has been released back into the wild,” said Slaven. “It was certainly an unusual event. I can’t recall the last time this happened.”