Moruya SES unit controller Jeff McMahon said a crew was called to the area at about 2pm, where they found the animal submerged in the ground.

He said while the SES are trained in animal rescue, the age of the horse coupled with the level of immersion meant they were unable to save it.

“In a situation like this, we would pump air and water into mud until we were able to place a sling under the horse, so we could hoist it out,” he said.

“This horse was a bit older and the mud was up to its belly which would have made the process of hoisting extremely painful.

“We came to the area with a winch cable, but unfortunately there was nothing we could do, so the decision was made to euthanise it.”