Glendale arborists help in horse rescue drama

A Glendale arboriculture team came to the rescue of a shire horse whilst working on power lines in North Devon.

Glendale arborists Sam Langford & Aaron Lloyd were working at a property in Hatherleigh, carrying out tree works for Western Power Distribution when they notice an unusual noise. Upon further investigation, they found Rosie, a large shire horse, had fallen and was stuck in a muddy ditch. After alerting the owners the Glendale team stayed on site helping to remove wooden fence posts and barbed wire around the horse.

The fire service and a specialist equine vet were soon onsite and set about sedating Rosie until a specialist fire brigade unit arrived from Exeter, complete with a Manatu for safe lifting. To assist the fire brigade the Glendale team climbed a tree and removed a few of the lower branches to allow the Manatu to reach in and lift the horse safely clear of the ditch using their large animal rescue equipment.

Mrs Hill, Rosie’s owner, commented “The Glendale team were brilliant and were very calm and helpful. Rosie is nearly 23 which is very old for a shire horse but she has made a full recovery and is back out grazing with the others in the field. She had a few cuts and scrapes but no long-term damage.”

Julian Montague, general manager for WPD in the South West commented “The team acted perfectly. Our team access the countryside on a daily basis and our service is more than just the tree work needed but includes a wider service to the communities we work in. The actions of the team demonstrate their commitment to wildlife and a clear wish to go the extra mile. Well Done”