If it had not been for the quick actions of 74-year-old John Howell, Evita, who is 27 years old, may not have survived the incident, which occurred in a field near Hobs Lane in Burton Green last week.

The mare, who has two foals and weighs half a tonne, fell into a ditch and was found by Mr Howell upside down with her nose under the water.

The Caesar Road resident said: "We don't really know how she came to get down there, but she was nearly drowned.

"I managed to get her head above the water and called the vet and the fire brigade.

"I spent almost an hour in the ditch and it was cold, I'll tell you that!"

It took three fire crews and a tractor to finally get Evita out of the ditch and onto her feet, while Mr Howell stayed beside her in the water to keep her calm.

He said: "It's the thing I do. I have spend a lifetime with horses and these things do happen. She is happy as Larry now which is good to see."

Evita's owner Pat Dixon, who owns Classics Hair & Beauty in Kenilworth, did not think her horse would survive the ordeal.

She said: "We didn't think she would make it because her gums were white and her eyes were getting very glazed.

"She is 27 years old and a big horse so she did very well. It's very distressing to see them upside down in a ditch."

Mrs Dixon, who has owned Evita for more than 21 years, is still amazed that the mare is up and about as normal now.

She said: "If it had not been for John, I wouldn't have her here now. Evita has been a big part of my life. She has great faith in humans and is a lovely horse."