The Maasdriel fire brigade ordered a crane truck belonging to their colleagues from Geldermalsen to come for the rescue.
A first attempt to hoist the animal failed because it shot out of the crane's tires.
The animal weighing about 600 kilos was sprayed clean by the fire brigade and was stabled on Wednesday afternoon with extra food and water to recover.
According to owner Rianne van Herwijnen, it is not entirely clear how Charlotta ended up in the ditch: "We are not sure, but she probably rubbed against the fence with her flank and fell into the ditch."
Charlotta went well on Wednesday afternoon. At least for now.
"According to the veterinarian, we have to make sure that she does not get sick on Monday, because horses can get acidic muscles if their muscles have not been moving for a long time," said the owner.
Charlotta hopes to celebrate her fourteenth birthday in May.
