I'm no stick-in-the-mud, I've just got short legs

SHORTY the pony does not take kindly to being called a stick-in-the-mud, but that is what concerned passers-by continually label her.

STUMPY Passers by thought she was stuck STUMPY: Passers-by thought she was stuck

The dwarf-like animal’s legs are so small that people think she is getting stuck in boggy ground in the New Forest.

And the animal lovers keep calling 999 – with firefighters scrambled on four false alarms in recent months.

Every time, firefighters rush to the scene only to find onlookers have been confused by the 2ft 4in animal’s stumpy legs.

Animal rescue expert Anton Phillips, of the fire brigade, was dispatched this week with 12 other firefighters.

Two fire engines and a specialist lifting vehicle also attended the salt marshes by the River Test in Southampton, Hants, where the animal grazes. Mr Phillips said: “It looks like a cross between a Shetland pony and a New Forest pony.

FALSE ALARM The pure bred 12 year old Shetland FALSE ALARM: The pure-bred 12-year-old Shetland

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.”

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Owner Sandra Whitchersaid the pony, called Mayflower, was a purebred, 12-year-old Shetland.

She said: “We might have to put up a sign so passing motorists 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.”

“The only problem is that one day she might actually get stuck and then the fire brigade won’t turn up.”

Shetland ponies, known for their short legs, typically grow to between 2ft 4in and 3ft 6in tall.

New Forest ponies tend to be between 4ft and 4ft 10in.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service estimates that each time a single fire engine goes out with five firefighters on a standard call it costs at least £250.

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