A pony with very short legs and a long body called Mayflower has caused many people to call the 999 services in the mistaken belief that the pony is stuck in the mud.

Hampshire’s fire crews were last alerted on Tuesday as Mayflower was grazing by the River Test in Southampton England.

An animal rescue expert said Mayflower seemed to be a cross between a Shetland and a New Forest pony, making her look like a “sausage-dog horse”.

Her owner is now considering erecting signs advising passers-by to inform them that yes this pony has very short legs.