Trapped mare is freed by firefighters in horsebox drama

Firefighters were needed to free a horse after it became trapped in its horsebox.
The Dutch warmblood mare, named Dancer, was being transported to the Crofton Manor Eques- trian Centre in Titchfield Road, Stubbington, when she became agitated.Owner Gemma Bower became aware of Dancer's unusual behaviour in the trailer behind he

Ms Bower discovered the horse had reared and had managed to get one of her front legs over the restraining bar in the horsebox.Moments later Dancer got her other foreleg over the bar and put her head and most of her body through the narrow groom door, leaving her trapped by the pelvis.Fire crews from Fareham, Havant and animal rescue specialist Anton Phillips were sent to the scene.Following sedation by Animed vet David Langrish, firefighters helped the horse's owner and vet support the front of the horse using hay bales.Then, using a hydraulic ram, they were able to spread the sides of the door apart so that Dancer could be freed and led to safety.Watch manager Phillips said: 'Dancer is used to being transported and it is not clear what caused her to react in this way.' The horse sustained cuts to her head, flanks and hindquarters during her 40-minute ordeal, but she is expected to make a full recovery.

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