Miracle horse rescued unharmed after being trapped by fallen trees during Storm Eunice

A lucky horse had a miracle escape after becoming trapped between the trunks of fallen trees during Storm Eunice – and emerging unscathed.

Ten-year-old Cintia, who lives in Collingbourne Wood, had to be rescued by firefighters after three conifers fell inches either side of her.

A crew from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service used chainsaws to cut Cintia free, with the trunks – each around 12 to 18 inches thick – being stabilised by a forklift on a tractor to stop them falling on the mare.

Vet Ellen Harris, who is based at McGonnell and Gillatt Equine Veterinary Practice near Hungerford, was called to the scene by Cintia’s owner, Katie Rossiter, in order to sedate the horse and keep her relaxed.

Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News, Mrs Harris said: “Words can’t describe just what a tight pickle this horse was in and how ridiculously lucky it was.

“If she had been at a slightly different orientation, or slightly further one way or another, she would’ve been dead – no two ways about it."

Mrs Harris said Cintia – a 15.2 hands mare – must have been dozing in the lee of the tree, otherwise she would have heard the trees falling and run away.

She continued: “The three tree trunks which had fallen were literally either side of the horse, and it’s absolutely remarkable that she came out of it without a scratch on her.

“It was absolutely amazing that she didn’t panic at any point.

“Most horses in that situation have a strong fight or flight response and would’ve panicked and done themselves potentially fatal injuries by trying to get out. This mare just stood there.

"The firefighters were amazing and worked out a plan for extraction and which tree trunks we could move first."

In total, Cintia’s experience – which took place late on Friday afternoon with the country in the grip of Storm Eunice – lasted around two hours and she was able to walk away from the scene completely unharmed.

She then spent the night in the stable, before being released back into the field the next day no worse for wear.

Mrs Harris added: “I just cannot believe how it all happened – I can’t believe it’s real.

“She had a night in the stable with a big haynet and was let out the next morning and was galloping across the fields.

“She was completely unfazed by it all.”

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