Young stallion swims 150m out into the Irish Sea

A panicked four-year-old stallion swam 150m into the Irish Sea before being shepherded back to dry land earlier this week.

Jasper, a bay stallion, was being ridden along Newport beach, Pembrokeshire, around 10 am on Tuesday 30 August by Saran Davies when he panicked and threw her into the sea.

RNLI lifeguard Sam Purnell, 18, paddled out to the horse on a board and along with a passing fishing boat coaxed Jasper back to shore after about 20 minutes.

Tish Reynolds, friend of Saran, told local papers: “We are exceptionally grateful to the RNLI lifeguards and everyone else who intervened before Jasper found his way across to Ireland.

“He has just been broken so we are introducing him to new experiences — this is one he won’t forget in a hurry.”

Both Saran and Jasper are said to be doing well.

Last month a horse swam half a mile into the Channel after throwing her rider at Sandwich Bay in Kent.

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