'Punch drunk' pony rescued from swimming pool
A pony had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming 'punch drunk' from gorging on too many fermented windfall apples and falling into a swimming pool.
The pony, named "Fat Boy", escaped from its stable, broke into a nearby garden with another pony, and began munching the fallen apples.
It is thought that the rotten fruit had begun to ferment, causing the animal to become 'drunk'.
Twelve-year-old Fat Boy stumbled across the garden, and fell into the outdoor swimming pool which was covered by tarpaulin.
Sarah Penhaligon, 28, owner of the bungalow in Newquay, Cornwall, was woken at night by a "huge" splash and found the Moorland Pony in the shallow end.
She said: "I looked outside, saw this massive animal in the dark, and thought the Beast of Bodmin was in the pool. I was terrified, but when I took a closer look I realised it was a horse.
"I didn't have a clue what to do next - who do you call when there's a horse stuck in your swimming pool?
"I dialled 999 and they asked which service I wanted and I said I didn't know, I just had a horse in my pool and needed help."
Fire crews spent two hours building a set of hay steps in the pool, and hoisted the animal out of the water at 5am with the help of several harnesses.
The pony had escaped from the nearby Trenance riding stables. A spokesman said horses were known to get 'punch drunk' from eating too many apples.
She said: "It looks like he was scrounging for apples in the garden and fell in when he trod on the tarpaulin over the pool.
"It's a good job he's got a lot of bulk, as it kept him warm while he was stuck in the water.
"After he got out he was taken back and checked over by a vet, but luckily he's fine."
