Horse bolts and swims two and a half miles out to sea
A horse had to be rescued after bolting during a photoshoot on a California beach and swimming two and a half miles out to sea in its tack.
Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol and the coastguard were called out at 6.30pm on 15 May after seven-year-old Arab William took the unscheduled dip.
A search helicopter spotted him a couple of miles offshore swimming towards oilrigs, according to local newspapers.
A lifeboat crew placed floats under William’s head and attached him to the boat using a towline under his saddle.
“It took more than two hours to escort the animal back to dryland and into the hands of a vet,” said Santa Barbara Harbour Patrol officer Ryan Kelly.
William was reportedly fine after his ordeal and was returned to his owner after being checked by the vet.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.