Sinking Horse Rescued By Thame Fire Crew

THAME fire officers were involved in a dramatic rescue operation yesterday, when a horse became trapped up to its chest in mud.
This was the fourth time in around 18 months that Thame Fire Officers had been called to the field opposite the Esso Service Area in the Long Crendon Road, Thame, by members of the public concerned for the welfare of horses stranded in flood conditions.
Station Commander Andy Ford, told ThameNews.Net: “When we arrived on the scene, Mrs Carol Plater and another gentleman were trying to help the horse who had become stuck in the mud up to its chest on the river’s edge.
“Our concerns were for the welfare of the horse as he was distressed and could have been seriously hurt whilst desperately trying to get out, as could have his rescuers. We were able to help the horse, who was by this time extremely exhausted, using a length of fire hose slung behind his backside, and basically pulled until the horse could get his footing, after which he quite happily rejoined the other horse in the field.”
Although the rescue had a happy ending, Carol Plater is very concerned that these and other horses that have been left in the field over the last two or three years, are being neglected.
“Lots of people around Thame who use the Long Crendon Road, have noticed the horses and the wet conditions they are being kept in. That land is just not suitable for keeping horses in. The one that was pulled out of the river yesterday is lame in one of its back legs and the other one’s feet are in an appalling condition.
“The rescued horse looked as if he had just given up and was resting his head on the mud. If no one had noticed his plight he would almost certainly have died.
“A couple of years ago, the police and RSPCA officers were called when a group of shetland ponies became stranded on a tiny piece of land when the field flooded.
“The owner has been contacted but just doesn’t seem to care.”

Andy Ford said:”Apart from the welfare issues around these horses, my concern is that they could get stuck again and present a considerable risk to our crews. A heavy, distressed animal can be very unpredictable.”

NB This piece of land will be coming up for auction on June 24 – advertised as ‘suitable for development’. The reserve price is