Fire crews have been called out four times to rescue a tiny pony - because its legs are so short people think it's stuck in mud.
Two fire engines and a specialist lifting vehicle have been despatched four times at a combined cost of about £8,000 to save the horse, called Mayflower.
The animal's stumpy legs are so out of proportion with its long body that people assume she's sinking in the salty marshland where she grazes by the River Test in Southampton
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have now nicknamed the 2ft 4ins tall pony 'Shorty', reports The Sun.
Fire brigade animal rescue expert Anton Phillips said: "It looks like a cross between a Shetland pony and a New Forest pony.
"We inherit characteristics from our parents and sometimes something odd happens like this - it looks like it has a Shetland's little legs and a New Forest pony's long body.
"From 200 yards away it does look like the pony is trapped in the mud, especially when it is stood next to New Forest ponies which are about twice as tall."
Owner Sandra Whitcher said: "The emergency services have been out so many times they must know the way by heart. We might have to put up a sign so ramblers know the horse is not stuck.
"The only problem is that one day she might actually get stuck and then the fire brigade won't turn up."
Two fire engines and a specialist lifting vehicle have been despatched four times at a combined cost of about £8,000 to save the horse, called Mayflower.
The animal's stumpy legs are so out of proportion with its long body that people assume she's sinking in the salty marshland where she grazes by the River Test in Southampton
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have now nicknamed the 2ft 4ins tall pony 'Shorty', reports The Sun.
Fire brigade animal rescue expert Anton Phillips said: "It looks like a cross between a Shetland pony and a New Forest pony.
"We inherit characteristics from our parents and sometimes something odd happens like this - it looks like it has a Shetland's little legs and a New Forest pony's long body.
"From 200 yards away it does look like the pony is trapped in the mud, especially when it is stood next to New Forest ponies which are about twice as tall."
Owner Sandra Whitcher said: "The emergency services have been out so many times they must know the way by heart. We might have to put up a sign so ramblers know the horse is not stuck.
"The only problem is that one day she might actually get stuck and then the fire brigade won't turn up."
