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Rescuers praised for saving shire horse from ditch

Clare Worden
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromSouthery
BBC Bilbo is a large bay shire horse with white legs and a big white splash down his face. He is wearing a black leather headcollar. He is standing next to his owner Caryn Wilkinson, who is wearing a light grey shirt and jeans. BBC
Bilbo's owner said he was normally a very sensible horse to ride, but could be "cheeky"

The owner of a shire horse has thanked firefighters and others who helped save her beloved animal from a ditch.

Bilbo, 14, was spooked during a ride in Southery, west Norfolk, and unseated his owner Caryn Wilkinson.

After running across a field, he was found almost upside down at the bottom of a bank. Local fire crews eventually managed to drag him out with the help of farm machinery.

Ms Wilkinson said Bilbo had since made a full recovery and she intended to hop back on the saddle soon. She said she had "just the most heartfelt gratitude" for those who helped.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Bilbo is lying flat on the ground with fabric over his face. He has been pulled from the ditch and is covered in mud. A fireman dressed in orange overalls has a hand on him. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Bilbo was left muddy and shocked after his ordeal, but he has no lasting injuries

Bilbo, also known as Bill, weighs about 900kg (142 stones) and stands 1.86m (6.1ft) tall.

In the five years that owner Ms Wilkinson has owned him, it was the first time she had fallen off.

"He dumped me in the field and I thought he was running for home," she said.

After a search, some flattened reeds showed Bilbo had ended up in a nearby ditch.

"We followed the drain along and there he was - sort of half upside down and half on his side, about five-feet down in the water of the ditch."

The fire service, a vet and a neighbouring farmer were called to help.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Bilbo lying in a ditch full of green reeds. Two fire service in orange and yellow high-vis jackets and red helmets are trying to free him. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Bilbo was stuck in the ditch for more than two hours

Ms Wilkinson said: "The first fire tender got to us within 15 minutes.

"They were so calm, so professional. It helped keep me calm, which in turn helped Bilbo."

The horse was sedated, then straps were attached to his saddle.

Finally a teleporter - a small piece of farm machinery - was used to gently drag him out.

The vet then reversed the sedation - and within 20 minutes Bilbo was on his feet and ready to walk home.

Ms Wilkinson said she was unhurt following the incident on 1 June thanks to her riding hat and body protector.

She said she intended to ride Bilbo again soon and was planning a quiet session in her school before getting back out on the road.

Caryn Wilkinson Bilbo being ridden at a show. He is well brushed and his feathers on his legs are white and trimmed. The rider is wearing long black boots, cream jodhpurs and a grey jacket.Caryn Wilkinson
Bilbo is a 14-year-old shire horse that often competes in heavy-horse show competitions

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service posted on social media about the challenge crews faced.

It said: "We love a happy ending! Crews from King's Lynn and Downham Market were called to help a large horse that had got stuck in a ditch in Southery.

"When they were called it had already been stuck for two hours and was distressed.

"The horse took some lifting but we were pleased to get it back on its feet and to hear that it has since made a full recovery."

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