A small pony in the English countryside has had to be rescued by a member of the RSPCA after somehow ending up trapped inside a tractor tyre.

The animal rescue organisation shared photos on social media showing the pony firmly wedged in the tyre, which was lying on its side in a paddock in Stoke on Trent. Local residents had alerted them after spotting the strange sight.

“Yes… That is a pony stuck in a tyre,” the RSPCA said in its Instagram post.

“This poor pony was matted, dirty and unable to free himself. While he was still breathing, it was clear he was in distress and in need of quick action.”

A rescue officer, Nicola Riley, came to his aid, with locals helping by lifting the tyre so she could undertake the delicate operation of freeing him.

“This was no mean feat for our rescuer, having to first ease out his front feet, then carefully working his shoulder free before releasing his neck and front end,” the RSPCA said.

“Thankfully teamwork made the dream work, and the pony was freed without injury.”

Riley monitored the pony, whose name wasn’t given, and although he was “a little wobbly” at first, she reported that he was “soon back grazing and walking around”.

The RSPCA shared a photo showing the bedraggled-looking pony standing in the paddock alongside an equine companion, noting that the tyre had been removed to avoid any repeat contortionist performances.

Bedraggled but standing: The rescued pony. Photo: RSPCA

While some social media users expressed concern about how the pony could have managed to get stuck in the tyre by itself, horse lovers insisted that ponies can get themselves into “all sorts of places”.

One suggested the accident may have occurred while the animal was rolling on the ground, with the tyre perhaps flipping and trapping him inside.

“Ponies are basically the Pippi Longstockings of the horse world — fearless, inventive and absolutely convinced every idea is a good one,” wrote a Facebook user.

“So relieved this little one was rescued safely.”