Firefighters staged a dramatic rescue when a half-ton horse got himself wedged in a water tank in a bizarre slip.

Jester – a chestnut five-year-old – was stuck fast in a garden water tank in Macarthur, New South Wales, Australia, and couldn’t get out.

So rescuers used a borrowed digger and heavy lifting gear to winch the 400-kilo stock horse from the tank after draining it of water on 7th July.

After the rescue, Jester was checked by a vet for injuries.

Fire and Rescue NSW said: “Resourceful FRNSW firefighters have used a sling and an excavator to rescue a horse that fell into a water tank today at Belimbla Park.

“Jester, a five-year-old Chestnut, thankfully had his fall softened by water which had half-filled the tank, but the 400-kilogram stock horse found himself trapped.

“A FRNSW crew from Narellan attended the scene along with Police and the Rural Fire Service.

“The firefighters called in a specialist FRNSW crew from Liverpool, equipped with heavy-animal lifting equipment.

“As Jester stood distressed, the fire crews drained the water and, borrowing an excavator from a neighbouring property, rigged up several slings, carefully lifting Jester horse to safety.”

The fire department added: “We understand Jester is doing well!”