RESCUE: Maitland SES Unit volunteers move a horse from its flooded paddock at Pitnacree. Picture: Hunter NSW SES Unit

It's tough enough when the floodwaters are rising and you're a human who can access information about the unfolding situation.

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But when you're a horse, or a cow, and your paddock is flooding there is little to do except wait for help.

Thankfully help did arrive for 10 animals in the Maitland area who found themselves in a sea of water when the Hunter River levels rose last week, and it came in the form of volunteers in bright orange uniforms.

In most cases, SES volunteers gently herded the animals to higher ground.

But on a Flat Road property in Pitnacree, one horse who was in a paddock along the Hunter River, had to be led out of the water.

The floodwater had overtopped the levy bank and was rushing into the paddock.

The horse was up to its knees in water when the SES volunteers arrived and was happy to follow them to higher ground.

HELP: A Maitland SES Unit volunteer holds the horse while his colleague arrives with wire cutters to help it escape the flooded paddock at Pitnacree. Picture: Hunter NSW SES Unit

SES volunteers had to use wire cutters to remove part of a fence to be able to move the horse out of the water.

Deputy Incident Controller Northern Zone Inspector Jamal Box said animals were offered a rescue service if it was required.

He said VRA Rescue NSW, who are trained in animal rescue, were working alongside the SES volunteers during the flood event and had provided assistance to horses and cattle.

"In this case the SES volunteers put a rope around it and it has followed them out of the water," he said.

"The horse was moved to higher ground and remained safe."

The assistance didn't stop once the Maitland area was flooded.

ALMOST THERE: Maitland SES Unit volunteers moving a horse from its flooded paddock at Pitnacree. Picture: Hunter NSW SES Unit

ON THE WATER: Port Stephens SES Unit volunteers with Olive the Golden Retriever on a flood boat at Hinton. Picture: Port Stephens SES Unit

Olive the Golden Retriever, from Hinton, took a ride on the flood boat last week when flooding engulfed the roads and left the town isolated.

Olive had a cut on her leg and needed to see a vet.

She returned home on the flood boat sporting a bright pink bandage and Port Stephens SES Unit volunteers couldn't resist having a photo with the grateful canine.