Not the Apple-Bobbing 'Fat Boy' Had in Mind

Pursuit of late night snack lands horse in British swimming pool

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2008 3:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – A horse’s hunger for apples got the better of him early yesterday when he ended up stuck in a British swimming pool, the Cornishman reports. The fittingly named “Fat Boy” and another pony broke into the garden of Sarah Penhaligon, 28, to snack on her apple trees. But while chowing down, Fat Boy stepped on a tarpaulin covering her swimming pool and fell in.

"He looked a bit panicked,” said Penhaligon. “He was trying to get out of the pool but couldn't manage it and was getting very tired.” After calling emergency services, firemen showed up but were unable to lift the huge animal. After several hours, the crews put bales of hay in the pool as steps so Fat Boy could get out.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

In this photo released by Vermont State Police, a horse is seen accidentally taking an icy plunge in a swimming pool in Dorset, Vt. (AP Photo/Vermont State Police)

"It looks like he was scrounging for apples in the garden and fell in when he trod on the tarpaulin over the pool," an official said of Fat Boy's predicament. (AP Photo)

Horses can get somewhat tipsy from eating too many apples%u2014perhaps a factor in Fat Boy's midnight-snack disaster. (AP Photo)

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I was terrified, but when I took a closer look I realized 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?
- Sarah Penhaligon

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Not the Apple-Bobbing 'Fat Boy' Had in Mind