The woman driver, aged in her 20s, was taken to hospital for a check-up. She was lucky to have walked away from the accident, Constable Sam Williams, of Alexandra, said.
Firemen and police worked from several angles to free the horse, which was very distressed. Central Vets veterinarian Petra Guse, who arrived soon after the accident, administered sedatives to keep the horse calm and firemen used several different methods of cutting to keep
the noise to a minimum.
A crane on the back of a truck owned by McStays Transport was brought out to help move the float a little and make access easier, but getting the horse out was no easy task.
The front of the float was cut away while the horse was restrained, and the one side of the roof was cut before the horse could stand up and stumble out through the opening. The horse was bleeding from cuts on its legs.
Miss Guse said the horse seemed fine although it would be some time before the full extent of its injuries were known.
She praised police, fire and ambulance personnel for their "wonderful job'', patience and understanding.
Const Williams said the young woman was on her way to Dunedin for a coaching seminar with some top riders.
She had already previously missed one session due to unforeseen circumstances. It was too early to say if any charges would be laid, Const Williams said.
