'Drunk' pony rescued from pool

NEWQUAY, England, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Newquay, England, said they rescued a pony that fell into a swimming pool after becoming "drunk" from eating fermented apples.

Sarah Penhaligon, 28, said she was awakened by a "huge" splash from the tarpaulin-covered swimming pool in her yard, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

"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 realized it was a horse," Penhaligon said.

Penhaligon phoned authorities and firefighters spent two hours building hay steps in the pool and finally hauled the Moorland Pony, named Fat Boy, from the pool with the help of multiple harnesses.

A spokeswoman for Trenance riding stables said the pony had escaped from the facility and feasted on rotten apples from Penhaligon's garden. She said ponies are known to become "punch drunk" if they eat too many fermented apples.

"It's a good job he's got a lot of bulk, as it kept him warm while he

was stuck in the water," the spokeswoman said. "After he got out he was taken back and checked over by a vet, but luckily he's fine."