A BIG rescue operation was staged to retrieve a 33-year-old horse trapped in a stream near Callington.

A farm in Downgate raised the alarm yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, February 16), telling Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service in a 999 call that a horse had fallen onto its side into a stream and couldn’t get out.

The caller was advised to call his vet while crews, including water rescue teams, from Callington, Bude, St Austell, and Bodmin were sent to the scene.

They found the male horse, approximately 15 hands high, lying in a running stream less than 18 inches deep.

Firefighters managed to get a strop and halter in place to secure and settle the animal, whilst awaiting arrival of the vet.

The horse was then rescued by crews from the stream and placed onto the side of the boggy field; the farmer was helped to move the horse onto drier land where the vet took over the animal’s care..