Horse rescued from septic tank

A horse that fell into a septic tank after the lid gave way was rescued in a five-hour long operation yesterday.

Kev, a 17.3-hand half-draught horse weighing more than 900kg, had walked across the lid of the concrete tank on a rural block near Benmore in Southland, The Southland Times reported.

The lid then collapsed, plunging him into the effluent.

He was found by his owner Linda Entwistle yesterday morning.

She said a section of the lid cover fell in, pinning him down.

Rescuers battled to lift Kev from the tank only for him to slip back in.

He was eventually freed by using strops attached to a digger.

Vet checks found none of his legs was broken and Kev's first faltering steps were greeted with cheers and applause from his rescuers.

Kev faced a course of antibiotics and a tetanus shot but was otherwise unharmed by his ordeal, Ms Entwistle said.

- NZPA