Some may find the images below distressing.

TWO STRAY HORSES have been rescued from a bog in Co Meath after being stranded in freezing water for at least two days.

A local horse rescue group, with the help of a team of volunteers, pulled the two animals from the water using a makeshift hoist.

However, one had to be put down on site following examination by a vet, while the other is in a serious condition and is unable to stand.

Local council officials contacted by those involved in the rescue, orchestrated by rescue group My Lovely Horse believe the horses, found in Coolronan near Trim, had been abandoned.

Martina Kenny, founder of the organisation, described the incident  to TheJournal.ie as “one of the worse” she has ever seen.

“We had to get the vet out to put one of the horses down on-site, as their spine appeared to be broken,” she said.

“We had to literally drag the other to the horse box.”

Locals responded to a call for assistance from the group after emergency services said they do not respond to animal rescues.

Two other horses remain close to the bog, and it is feared they could become stuck in the bog as well. My Lovely Horse are attempting to remove them to a safe location.

Earlier this month, the United Farmers Association (UFA) criticised Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and the junior Minister Tom Hayes for continuing “to insist in the face of all public and common knowledge that there is no crisis in the Irish horse industry”.