A HORSE and its rider were helped by the emergency services after getting stuck in a ditch on a hot day.

Umbrio the horse was rescued from a ditch in The Marshes in Southminster yesterday.

The horse’s rider was given first aid by crews after suffering grazes and bruising.

Crews from Tillingham Fire Station were called to the scene at 11.39am.

They were assisted by an animal rescue unit from Ipswich Fire Station and a vet.

Umbrio was sedated before crews hoisted him out of the ditch.

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters rescued a horse after it got stuck in a ditch.

“Crews from Tillingham attended a field in The Marshes in Southminster at 11.39am and found a horse called Umbrio trapped.

“The rider had sustained grazes and bruising and crews gave her first aid.

“They also shaded and cooled the horse while they waited for an animal rescue unit from Ipswich and a vet to arrive.

“The vet sedated Umbrio and crews winched him out of the ditch. He was left in the vet's care at 2.42pm.”