A SIX-YEAR-OLD horse was rescued by firefighters after it fell into a swimming pool. 

'Taz' fell into the private pool, at a property in Glebe Lane, Abberton, this morning and could not get out. 

The water reached up to the horse's stomach and had to be drained to allow the rescue to take place.

A team of firefighters specially trained in large animal rescues attended the incident along with crews from Great Baddow, South Woodham Ferrers and Colchester.

Taz was kept calm and halted by its owner during the rescue while a vet sedated the horse so it could be rescued safely.

Taz's ordeal began shortly before 11am.

The uninjured horse was rescued by 1pm.