Horse in Throckenholt rescued by firefighters after getting stuck in river

A horse which was spooked and found herself stuck in a river has been rescued by firefighters.

Fire crews were called to help the animal on Common Bank in Throckenholt just before noon on Monday.

The horse, named Magenta, had been spooked, unseated her rider, and become stuck in the river.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue crews from Wisbech and Dogsthorpe along with the north roaming fire engine attended.

They used strops and lifting machinery under the supervision of a vet to rescue the horse and return her to her owner.

The crews returned to their stations by 4.30pm.

A post on the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service Facebook page said: “Poor Magenta the horse needed the assistance of Peterborough and Wisbech firefighters this morning when she became spooked by something while out on a ride, unseated her owner and ended up in the river, unable to get out.

“It was a happy ending though as crews specially trained in animal rescues used strops and lifting machinery from local company Ratcliffes, under the supervision of a vet, to get Magenta back on the bank and reunited with her relieved owner again.”