Heavy rain in Levin overnight turned out to be a blessing in disguise for man thrown from his horse, which then fell on him.
A Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter spokesman said the man was pinned under the horse and suffered serious injuries in the early morning incident.
"Fortunately for the man there was a lot of rain last night, making the ground soft, as there was a deep imprint of the man in the ground."
The man was airlifted to Palmerston North hospital.