A horse had to be rescued today from a swimming pool in Hampshire after it had accidentally wandered into it.

The four-year-old gelding, named Mischief, walked on to the swimming pool's plastic covering on a farm next to its home in Godshill, New Forest.

A Fire Service spokesman said the owner kept the 14-hand horse calm until local vet Luke Gamble, of Pilgrims Veterinary Practice, arrived to sedate the animal, allowing firefighters to lift it out.

Fire crews from Fordingbridge attended the incident, supported by the local service's new animal rescue unit.

Mischief was eventually released back to pasture land, the spokesman said.

Watch manager Jim Green, who runs Hampshire Fire and Rescue's animal rescue team, said: ''We are pleased to say that Mischief is now safe and well and back in the hands of his owners. Any animal, small or large, that is trapped or in distress can be potentially dangerous.

''It is important to try to keep the animal calm, keep humans away and request the immediate assistance of the fire and rescue service's specialists to rescue the animal, rather than attempting to do so themselves.''