An East Kent Lifeboat crew was scrambled after reports of a woman and a horse in trouble at sea off the Sandwich Bay on Tuesday afternoon (9 August)

The Walmer RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched after a number of 999 calls were made to Dover Coastguard at about 3:50pm reporting a rider and a horse in difficulties in the sea off Sandwich Bay Sailing Club.

The rider had been thrown off the animal in shallow water and the horse then swam directly out to sea. The rider swam after the horse but turned back when she realized she had no chance of catching her.

When the lifeboat crew arrived, the horse was about half a mile offshore and was starting to tire. The crew managed to attach a line to its bridle and he animal was coaxed back towards the shore.

Once in shallow water the lifeboat crew, with help from Coastguard Rescue Officers from Deal were able to walk it ashore to be reunited it with its owner.

Walmer lifeboat helmsman Andrew Howland said: “This was one of the most unusual and most satisfying rescues I’ve carried out whilst a lifeboat crew member. Leading a horse to water is one thing but persuading it to come out again is a completely different issue.”

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©