Short-legged horse sparks repeated rescue attempts

Fire crews have been called four times to the animal's favourite grazing spot on salt marshes by the River Test in Southampton, most recently earlier this week, by concerned onlookers.

Anton Phillips, the animal rescue specialist for Hampshire fire service, explained that Mayflower's distinctive physique – an apparent cross between a Shetland and New Forest pony, she has the stumpy-legged look of an equine dachshund – means that from a distance it can appear she is trapped in soft ground.