Half-Shetland-half-New Forest pony looked stuck in the mud to passers-by

The answer is this oddly-shaped pony.

The strange-looking creature caused a stir on the banks of the River Test after concerned animal lovers spotted it and thought it was sinking in the mud.

But the Daily Echo can today reveal that the pony – dubbed “Shorty” – was not in danger at all. It just has little legs.

Yesterday Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s animal rescue team was called out to the animal for the fourth time since it started grazing on the salt marshes at Redbridge, Southampton.

Animal rescue expert Anton Phillips was one of no less than 12 rescuers dispatched to help the animal before realising the pony was not in any distress.

He said: “This was the fourth time we have been called out by members of the public who have seen this pony on the salt marsh.

“It’s basically a cross between a Shetland pony and a New Forest pony and has definitely inherited features from both its mother and its father – it has short legs like a Shetland but a long body like a New Forest pony.

“From 200 yards away it does look like the pony is trapped in the mud, especially when it is stood next to other ponies.

“It is right for the public to call us if they are concerned and of course we will always respond but when we turned up to this job we knew straight away what we were dealing with – a pony with short legs!

“The pony is odd-shaped but it is fit and healthy and there is no reason to worry about it.”