Powys fire crews had to use their ingenuity to save a horse from drowning after it fell down a ravine during this weekend's stormy weather.

Fire crews from Machynlleth and Montgomery were called to rescue a horse in the Churchstoke at 1.29pm on Saturday afternoon (July 8) “following reports of a horse stuck in a ravine”.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “One 20-year-old mare had slipped down a ravine into the water course and had been stuck for some time. 

"Crews utilised small gear, large animal-lifting gear and a digger to rescue the horse from the water.” 

However, during the rescue, the area was hit with heavy rainfall, causing the water rise alarmingly quickly.

This led to the crews at the scene to come up with an ingenious solution to save the animal – using tyres to keep the horse afloat to keep its head above water.

During this they used a digger and animal lifting equipment to break the horse free from the narrow ravine.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fir and Rescue Service confirmed that “once the horse was rescued, crews liaised with her owner and veterinarian.”

“Crews left the scene at 3.51pm.”