Horse dumps rider and swims 2km out to sea

We’ve all experienced the frustration of falling off on a ride and not being able to catch the horse. But chances are you’ve never had to swim after your pesky pet.

Out at sea

This is what happened to an Australian jockey after he was unseated on a beach in Brisbane. Rebel Rover was taken to Moreton Bay for training when he spooked, dumping his rider. He then took off, swimming out to sea.

When it was clear he had no intention of returning to dry land, Brisbane water police and the volunteer marine rescue were called in to help.

The five-year-old was two kilometres out at sea when he was finally caught after two hours in the water. It’s estimated he swam around 11km.

Bad behaviour

“He was in about four metres of water and he was swimming quite freely,”volunteer marine rescue’s Glen Philip told ABC news. “Luckily, we were able to manoeuvre our boat close to him and get a lasso around the top of his head which meant we could pull him nice and close to our boat and put a rope on its bridle.”

This isn’t the first time Rebel Rover’s antics have got him into trouble. According to his trainer Brad Smith the horse recently returned to racing after being banned for bad behaviour in the stalls.

Rebel by name, rebel by nature. Maybe he should stick to long-distance swimming instead?

‘Amazing lung capacity’

“Any other horse, 20 minutes would probably see them out, but this horse, he must have a pretty amazing lung capacity,” said Brad.

“[He’s] a little bit tired and sore in the muscles because he was swimming for a hell of a long time, but he’s quite remarkable for what he’s been through.”