This is the moment firemen rescued a horse that was stranded under a bridge in Brazil.

A pedestrian discovered the hapless white equine stuck in the river, trapped by the steep banks on either side in Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro.

The distressed animal was in the waist-deep water, unable to escape, prompting locals to alert the fire department for assistance on May 5.

The fire brigade quickly mobilised, employing containment ropes and a crane system mounted on a Munck truck to retrieve the horse.

Footage shows the young filly secured in a harness, being carefully lifted to safety.

One firefighter assisted from below the platform to prevent the horse from hitting a concrete pillar nearby.

After more than three hours of strenuous effort, the team successfully rescued the equine and returned it to its owner.

The horse did not sustain any injuries from the incident.