A TEARFUL horse owner has issued a heartfelt thank you to the dozen firefighters who came to the rescue of her 29-year-old “gentle giant” after he fell into a ditch.

Katie Turner, 23, fell in love with horse riding after she received thoroughbred cross Murphy on loan from a family friend eight years ago.

Now in his twilight years, Murphy lives at a livery yard in Feering, where he is free to wander several fields and walkways around the village.

But disaster struck when the owner of the yard discovered the elderly horse had fallen into a ditch.

It soon became apparent help would be needed to rescue the 6ft animal.

Essex Fire Service sent crews from Colchester, Chelmsford and Great Baddow at around 8.15am on Tuesday.

Murphy was free by 9.45am.

Social worker Katie, who lives in Braintree, said: “They waited until his vet was there, so he could oversee the rescue and give him gentle sedation.

“They put straps around him, pulled him onto two plastic boards - there were 12 of them all pulling together.

Halstead Gazette:

“They pulled him into the field, a more open space not around fences or anything dangerous, to give him a couple of minutes as he doesn’t always get up easily.”

Halstead Gazette:

Katie was delighted to see her old friend was unharmed.

“I want to apologise to the firefighters for crying so much, every time someone tried to speak to me I just cried,” said Katie.

Halstead Gazette:

“And secondly a huge thank you, straight away within minutes they knew what to do.”

Halstead Gazette:

Oblivious to all the fuss that had been made, Murphy is looking forward to his 30th birthday in less than two weeks.

The landmark occasion will be celebrated with a socially-distanced party, with treats.

Katie said: “Murphy is a proper softy.

“He loves having his face scratched, he’s just a gentle giant really.”