Horse runs into sea, rescued a mile offshore

[May 17, 2012]  CARPINTERIA, Calif. (AP) -- Maybe he should be named Bob.

An Arabian horse named William got spooked during a California beachside photo shoot Tuesday and swam a mile out to sea before rescuers got to him and helped him back to shore.

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Capt. Jay Irwin tells the Santa Barbara News-Press (http://bit.ly/LSknaq) that the horse's white head looked like a seagull bobbing in the water.

Owner Mindy Peters says the 6-year-old Arabian, whose official name is Heir of Temptation, was part of a photo clinic on the beach when it was spooked by waves and ran off.

Rescue swimmers assisted by the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol and state parks employees found the horse a mile offshore as darkness fell.

By 8:30 p.m., the horse was back on shore in good shape.

[Associated Press]

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