A huge shire horse was rescued after becoming trapped in a deep pit.
It is thought the rare breed mare called Swift had been scared by a dog.
A specialist rescue team and two fire crews helped in the mission which took several hours.
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She was eventually winched to safety.
Her owners said without help Swift would have died.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service crews from Plymstock and Camels Head, in Plymouth, Devon, as well as the urban search and rescue team from Exeter were called to The Shire Horse Centre Farm in Yealmpton at 7pm on Wednesday.
The Shire Horse Centre Farm said Swift had got into an altercation and fallen.
A spokesperson said she was “spooked” before falling.
They said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to the emergency crews that responded to the farm.
“We unfortunately found one of our shires Swift had got herself into an altercation and fallen down a culvert.
“We believe in order for her to have got where she was and to have left her companions she must have been spooked.
“Please we urge all walkers of the public footpath to keep your dogs on leads, these fields are our animals’ homes.
“If anyone has any information please come forward as it will help in her recovery.
“We would like to give a massive shout out to the fire crews that responded.
“Without the crews we don’t believe Swift would be with us today.
“Their response and ability in the matter was outstanding.
“Also a massive thank you to Laura from South Moore Vets who stayed by Swift’s side through the whole ordeal.
“And not forgetting our amazing team at the farm who jumped straight into action when needed.
“The Shires this morning have been re-united and we will be giving her time she needs to recover.
“So glad to have her back on her feet, the next few days will be critical but we will be making sure she has the best care.”
They added: “Without the fire crews we don’t believe Swift would be with us today; their response and ability in the matter was outstanding.”
A Greenbank Fire Station spokesperson said: “This was a complicated rescue which involved clearing the area of old telegraph poles covering the ditch with corrugated sheets and trees before we dug a more suitable exit.
“We then utilised the Tirfor winch on an elevated deviation to pull the horse to relative safety.
“The Telehandler then used the Hampshire Harness to assist the horse back onto her feet.
“Apart from a nasty gash on her head she appears to be okay.
“An excellent team effort by all those involved.
“Thanks to the vet Laura from South Moor Vets for her guidance and assistance.”
A spokesperson from Plymstock Fire Station added: “A very different shout for the crew.
“On our way to do some training we were mobilised to assist the Technical Rescue Team from Camels Head Fire Station Green Watch with a shire horse that had fallen into a deep pit.
“After a few hours of hard work and further assistance from Greenbank Fire Station Green Watch and the Urban Search and Rescue Team from Exeter the horse was rescued from the pit and after a short while with the vet amazingly was back on her feet and walking.
“Huge thanks to the The Shire Horse Centre Farm for the hot chocolate after we were all done
“We wish her a full and speedy recovery.”
Shire numbers fell from well over a million to just a few thousand by the 1960s.
But dedicated breeders came to the rescue of the Shire and it has since seen a resurgence in popularity both as a working animal and riding horse, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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