Foal rescued from Fenland river

Animal rescuers from the RSPCA and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service joined forces to save a foal stranded in a river from drowning.

RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs was called to the River Nene at Guyhirnon Saturday (19 June) after a passerby spotted a little piebald pony stuck up to its shoulders on the edge of the riverbank.

Justin said: “When I arrived at the scene I realised, quite quickly, that the pony was in fact a young foal, so I knew he wouldn’t be able to get himself out.

“I expect he slipped into the water while grazing on the riverbank or trying to get a drink and, as he was only little, could not clamber back up the bank.

“The water was deep and was coming up to his shoulder and we ascertained from the caller who had spotted him that he’d been there for at least three hours so I was concerned about him getting cold.

“I knew I wouldn’t be able to rescue him myself so I called for help from the fire service and thankfully three crews arrived to assist.”

The officers used ropes and a rescue sled to paddle out to the foal, secure him safely, and pull him to safety before helping him up the bank.

A fire service spokesman said: “We received a call just before 4pm on Saturday to reports of a trapped foal near the A47 at Guyhirn. Crews from March, Wisbech and Dogsthorpe in Peterborough attended the incident.

“Working with colleagues from the RSPCA, firefighters wearing specialist kit entered the water to safely rescue the foal. They returned to their stations by 6pm.”

Justin added: “The foal was a little wet, bedraggled and dirty but, thankfully, wasn’t injured. We sought some vet advice and monitored him for a little while to make sure he was okay before leading him back to his herd; he trotted off happily to his friends."

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.