Firefighters specially trained in animal rescue winched a fallen horse to its feet after it collapsed at a Wittersham refuge.
Experts were called to Dobells Farm in Moons Green after a 16-year-old, three-quarter tonne thoroughbred shire horse called Dandy fell in a field and couldn’t get up.
Faye Kavvadias, spokesman with Kent Fire & Rescue Service said: “Dandy had been unable to get back up for quite sometime and a vet who had been monitoring him was concerned that he may have damaged his muscles from laying on his side for such a prolonged period of time.
“To allow the vet to inspect the horse, Faversham firefighters placed slings around Dandy and winched him to his feet using the animal rescue unit crane.”
She added: ““The vet inspected him and fortunately Dandy was fine.
“After 30 minutes staff at the horse refuge walked him round his field.”
Sara Ross who runs The Horse Refuge, which cares for abandoned and ill horses, said: “Dandy is very precious and we love him.
“The fire service was wonderful and I would like to say a huge heartfelt thanks to all of them. They saved his life.”
She added: “I just don’t know what happened to him, but he’s great now!”
Anyone wanting to see Dandy or any of the other horses at Dobells Farm are welcome to visit.
More information on www.thehorserefuge.org or ring 01797 270555.