Shire horse owner thanks firefighters involved in Curridge rescue

Fourteen-year-old Beauty slipped and became trapped in the wire fence in a field off Curridge Road, where her owner, Tash Callaway, and helpers from nearby Curridge Green Riding School, were unable to pull her free.
Two firefighting crews from Newbury and Reading were called at 9am, along with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (RBFRS) Animal Rescue Unit, from Caversham Road, Reading.
After cutting through the wire fence, the firefighters slipped a special belt underneath the horse, laid on her side, before pulling her clear.
Firefighter Simon Denman, of Red Watch at Newbury Fire Station, said: “It took 10 blokes to pull her free, she was a heavy horse.”
The grateful owner, Mrs Callaway, who lives near Curridge, said she wanted to thank the firefighters, including one in particular who knelt by Beauty’s head, stroking and talking to her to keep her calm throughout her ordeal.
“Beauty is on the mend – a little sore but on the road to recovery,” said Mrs Callaway.
“She was very lucky. Without having the RBFRS and Animal Rescue Unit there to assist, this could have been a totally different story. Beauty and I will be eternally grateful to these highly-skilled individuals.
“It’s really hit home as to how important it is to support this unit, as you never know when you might need them.”
The owner of the riding school, John Mills, who was also at the scene, said there were concerns that the specialist animal rescue unit was under threat of closure owing to lack of funds.
“There is now only one of these units in Berkshire,” said Mr Mills.
However fire service spokeswoman Ellie Gray said on Monday that the unit was not at risk of closure.
Now Mr Mills and Mrs Callaway have said they were looking at ways of raising funds for the Animal Rescue Unit.
Mrs Callaway also sent her thanks to the vet, Alix Jackson, of Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, who also helped at the scene.