A thirsty mother and her foal were rescued after getting stuck in a mud pit in Arizona.

Wild horse advocate Betty Nixon and her colleagues were called after passersby discovered the distressed animals in Heber, Arizona.

The pair had become stuck in a drying dirt water tank as they searched for water in the 87 degrees Fahrenheit (31 C) heat on April 26.

Footage shows the foal desperately trying to leap out of the mire.

Local media reported that a couple driving a UTV had already arrived and managed to free the young equine before Betty's team reached the site.

In another clip, a group of seven rescuers can be seen working together to haul the mare from the mud using a rope. One of them, Andy, repeatedly waded into the pit to adjust the towrope.

The cable was initially looped around the mare's neck, secured with a special knot to avoid choking. As the horse attempted to rise, the team coordinated their pulls with her efforts, pausing when she needed to rest.

Eventually, the rope was repositioned behind her haunches, allowing the rescuers to gently pull her forward.

After more than an hour of effort, the mare rose on shaky legs and was reunited with her foal before walking off into the forest together.

Betty, an equine conservationist, said she had notified the Forest Service and is awaiting action to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

She praised the commitment and teamwork of all those who took part in the rescue.

This is the second incident at the same mud pit in recent days.

On Saturday, a mare and foal were also rescued from the same spot. The wild horse advocate blames the situation on drought conditions and the U.S. Forest Service's refusal to allow advocates to deliver water to the Heber Wild Horses.

Betty Nixon said: 'The Forest Service's plan is for the horses to move to another area of the forest with water but little food.

'The horses are being forced to choose between water and adequate forage during foaling season.'

Meanwhile, Arizona Game & Fish volunteers are delivering water to wildlife like elk, deer, and bears, but to locations not accessible to the horses.

She urges the public to call the Forest Service and demand they issue permits allowing volunteers to haul water to safe areas for the horses. Nixon and other volunteers say they are ready to act but are being blocked by red tape.