Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) firefighters help save stranded horse

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) firefighters helped save the life of a horse who had fallen and become stranded during Storm Dennis. Crews from Dalkeith and Sighthill responded to the incident within a field near Gorebridge, Midlothian.

The horse, named Ace, had been blown over by a strong gust of wind and was unable to get back to his feet due to extremely wet ground conditions.

Ace suffers from radial nerve damage following a previous accident and was unable to regain his footing without assistance.

Battling wet and miserable conditions, fire crews and volunteers worked with a  local farmer and his forklift to gently move the animal to safety and harder ground. Following a challenging two hour operation, Ace was able to get to his feet and is now back to enjoying life.

SFRS Watch Commander (WC) Gordon Aitchison was involved in the rescue and reflecting on the moment Ace regained his footing, WC Aitchison said: “The vet had already informed us that Ace had to get back to his feet by himself because if we used mechanical lifting equipment there was a chance he would fall again.

“We tried to use strops, but Ace kept slipping. The lady who called us, Charlotte, then got in touch with her neighbour, a farmer who came with a forklift. We decided to use the strops, forklift and a recovery sheet to try and gently move Ace to the paddock.”

WC Aitchison continued: “Moving Ace from the wet field to the paddock and harder ground was really the final chance we had. But thankfully everything worked out fine.

“When Ace did get back to his feet it was great to see. Charlotte and everyone involved were over the moon and it was hugs all round.”