FIREFIGHTERS from Tavistock were called out in the early hours of Sunday morning to rescue a 30-year-old horse which had fallen into a hole dug for its horse shelter.
The grey mare had escaped from its normal grazing area on the Brentor Road near Mary Tavy and slipped into the hole, where it became wedged with one rear leg doubled-up underneath.
The owners tried to free it without success so Tavistock fire crew was called.
The crew was assisted by the Specialist Rescue Team from Camel's Head in Plymouth and, with the aid of a winch, managed to haul the animal out of the hole. A vet from Westmoor Veterinary Practice attended the incident and tranquilised the horse.
The operation took over four hours and Tavistock sub-officer Tony Clark said the horse, although exhausted, appeared to be unhurt.