Foal in a hole: small horse rescued from Co Meath drain

One young foal was definitely wearing its lucky horse shoes after it escaped with only minor injuries after falling down an open manhole in Co Meath.

The young colt, who was wandering in a field when he stumbled into the hole, which was obscured by vegetation.

Luckily for him, the field backed on to a local school, where the caretaker was alerted by frantic calls between the trapped foal and his distressed mother.

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The alarm was raised and the ISPCA were called to the scene.

The group along with a local vet and some volunteers rescued the foal by securing straps around him and raising him up through the manhole opening using a digger.

ISPCA Inspector Elaine Whyte said that the hole was small and nearly impossible to see and that it was an unfortunate accident.

She added: “I would like to thank all those involved in the rescue. Without their efforts, this positive outcome would not have been possible.”

The hole has now been securely covered.