Why the long face? I’m stuck in a 6ft hole! Horse becomes trapped in trench… but is now in a stable condition after rescuers free him in three-hour operation
- Dani Kirkman, 25, and 13-year-old cob, Prince, were taking an unfamiliar route
- Horse slipped and ended up on his back, becoming wedged and stuck in trench
- Miss Kirkman, from Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, called the emergency services
A leisurely trot in the countryside turned into a ‘nightmare’ for one horse rider after her steed ended up trapped in a 6ft trench.
Dani Kirkman, 25, and her 13-year-old cob, Prince, were taking an unfamiliar route when they approached the steep-edged ditch too quickly to stop – and as the animal tried to jump over the gap he landed on his knees.
The horse managed to scramble out but slipped and ended up on his back, becoming wedged and stuck in the trench.
Dani Kirkman, 25, and her 13-year-old cob, Prince, were taking an unfamiliar route when they approached the steep-edged ditch too quickly to stop (pictured together)
Panicking, Miss Kirkman, from Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, called the emergency services.
It took three hours for rescuers and vets to free poor Prince.
Afterwards, Miss Kirkman posted online: ‘I thought I was going to lose my horse. I have never been so terrified.
‘After three hours, four fire department teams and three vets, we finally managed to drag him back to the wider part of the ditch and get him out.
The steed ended up trapped in a 6ft trench and it took three hours for rescuers and vets to free the animal
‘He’s battered and bruised but he’s alive.’
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘We were alerted at 12.33pm on Monday to reports of a horse trapped in a ditch in Jedburgh.
‘Firefighters worked with police to help extricate the trapped animal by working to get it back on its feet.’
The horse managed to scramble out but slipped and ended up on his back, becoming wedged and stuck in the trench