Horse dies despite efforts to save her

land back in 2013 where she has been living ever since.

“She has been retired from riding, I just hack out on the bridleways with her.

“This morning she was in the pond in the bottom field and was a bit unsteady on her feet as she suffered from arthritis.

“I think she must have fallen down and then couldn’t get up.

“The fire service and the vet were absolutely marvellous, they were brilliant.

“She was alive when they get her out but she had a heart attack and the vet from Hird and Partners in Halifax had no option but to put her down.

“They tried their best and it was very sad given all their efforts.” There was a sad end to a horse rescue at Northgate, Upper Hopton, as the vet tells owner Christine Kaye (inset) her 27-year-old horse called Painted Lady needs to be put down

Cleckheaton Watch Commander Dan Butterfield said: “We were called out around 9.30am and we used specialist equipment to help the horse out.

“We had 10 firefighters including two of our guys in dry suits who put strops lifting gear around her.

“And a neighbour had a tractor to manoeuvre the horse out which was very useful.

“We got her out and into a safe position so the vet could assess her.

“But after a few attempts to get her back on her feet it was not to be. I feel very sorry for the owner.”