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A Shetland pony, age 21, became stuck in a cattle grid this week after someone left a gate open in the Welsh countryside, allowing the animal to get out of its usual area on private property and reach the grid — with social media users venting their frustrations about the incident.
Emergency services' rescue work totaling some four hours was required for the animal to be freed.
Teifi the horse sparked the rescue operation on Tuesday after he became trapped in Llangatwg, Powys, Wales.
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Powys is the largest county in Wales.
Cattle grids are often used in areas where livestock may graze in open pastures and between open fence lines, according to the Farm Ranch Store based in Texas.
This 21-year-old Shetland pony, Teifi, became stuck in a cattle grid and had to be rescued by emergency crews. The rescue operation took four hours. Crews had to break the grid to free the animal's legs. (MAWW Fire and Rescue )
"Cattle grids prevent livestock from crossing over property lines and keep them out of dangerous areas."
Teifi the Shetland pony was able to reach the cattle grid after a gate was left open by walkers who were able to cut through the property.
The Mid and West Wales (MAWW) Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Crickhowell, Talgarth and Pontardawe were called to the incident.
Fox News Digital reached out to the rescue service's press office. In an email, it said that "crews responded to a 21-year-old Shetland pony called Teifi, who had become trapped in a cattle grid. To avoid Teifi becoming distressed, the vet who was also in attendance sedated him and crews proceeded to utilize road traffic collision and animal rescue equipment to release him from the cattle grid."
Rescue workers put a blanket over the pony during the rescue efforts. The animal was sedated as crews worked to free him. (MAWW Fire and Rescue )
Following the incident, Teifi’s owner, Beth Watkins, said, "I’m incredibly grateful to the Fire and Rescue Service crews for their help in rescuing Teifi. They meticulously planned his release and showed great care toward him throughout the incident."
Teifi was able to reach the cattle grid, the press office said, "due to a gate being left open by walkers on a right of way through the farm that he lives on."
"The support we received was incredible."
Watkins said Teifi was recovering well — and said her pet has since become "quite the local celebrity."
She also told Wales Online that she "received a call from my friend to tell me Teifi had got himself stuck in [a] cattle grid … This is thanks to a walker who has the right to roam across private property but who decided to leave the farm gate open."
"An amazing rescue! Thank you so much for saving Teifi. You were all fantastic," said the animal's owner. (MAWW Fire and Rescue )
She also said, "While I support the right of walkers to walk safely across fields, why would anyone leave gates open? The support we received was incredible," she added.
"But this is the fire service and the time they had to spend with us might have been needed elsewhere."
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She also said, "An amazing rescue! Thank you so much for saving Teifi. You were all fantastic.''
The Shetland pony, Teifi, was ultimately freed from the grid and is said to be making a good recovery. (MAWW Fire and Rescue )
Shetland ponies generally have an average life expectancy of some 20 to 30 years, according to multiple sources, though some can live longer.
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"A fit and healthy Shetland can outlive larger horses by at least five years," Agria Pet Insurance of the United Kingdom noted.
On social media, a variety of commenters chimed in about the pony's rescue.
"I'm so glad Teifi is OK," said a social media user about the 21-year-old Shetland pony. (MAWW Fire and Rescue )
"Why can't people respect the countryside?" wrote one poster on Facebook.
"I'm so glad Teifi is OK," said another.
"If you want to see the beautiful countryside, at least have some respect and follow the rules," wrote another person.
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Said another individual, "I remember seeing a spooked horse break a leg in a cattle grid. People need to know that carelessness can cost a life."
Among the many other comments posted online was this one, too: "Poor pony. So glad he's OK. Could have been much worse."
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