Photo via WDBJ7.
An escaped horse in Australia.
During the years that I took the commuter train to work, I saw some unusual things, but nothing as unusual as this.
Annabelle Timsit writes at the Washington Post about a thoroughbred horse in Australia who tasted a moment of freedom in an environment that to other travelers feels like anything but freedom.
“This commuter was one of the worst kinds,” writes Timsit. “Didn’t pay a fare, took up space on the platform, and caused a ruckus that slowed down trains and called security agents to the station. This particular commuter was also a horse.
“The equine traveler was captured by CCTV cameras wandering into Warwick Farm Station west of Sydney just before midnight on Friday, trotting up and down the platform, prompting other (human) commuters to jump out of its path. …
“ ‘Didn’t realize I needed to say but — horses aren’t allowed on our trains, sorry folks,’ tweeted Chris Minns, premier of Australia’s New South Wales state. …
“Footage shows that after horsing around for a while, it had a choice to make as the train pulled into the station: In or out? Yea or neigh? After staring at the train for a few seconds, the horse turned around and trotted back down the platform … or, as Transport for NSW put it: ‘The horse had planned its journey but got colt feet and decided to hoof it.’
“Security agents from Sydney Trains were alerted, ‘and trains in the vicinity were warned to run at reduced speeds,’ Transport for NSW said. …
“It later emerged that the horse had escaped from the stables of Annabel Neasham Racing, close to Warwick Farm Station, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
“It’s not clear how it escaped, but Steve Railton, chief steward of Racing NSW, cited Annabel Neasham, a trainer and the owner of the racecourse, as saying that ‘an unknown person released three racehorses and a stable pony from one of her stables on Friday night.’
“ ‘One of the racehorses left the vicinity of the stable complex, while the others were captured,’ said Railton, according to the Herald. …
“ ‘I can confirm the horse has returned home, safe and sound,’ Minns said.
“Though it is not an everyday occurrence, ‘from time to time, we do find animals on tracks, particularly cows,’ said Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland, according to the Herald. … Longland said the horse may have gravitated toward the station because of its bright lighting. …
“ ‘Thankfully, we were able to warn our train drivers to look out for animals on the tracks,’ he said. ‘We were able to catch the horse not long after that.’
“Transport for NSW confirmed that the horse ‘was safely reined in and is in a “stable” condition.’ ”
Ouch! People really cannot resist terrible puns whenever there’s a quirky animal story to wrap puns around.
More at the Post, here.
Video: CityNews.
What do you suppose this taste of freedom felt like to the horse? Did it feel good? Scary? Note the reaction to the train pulling in.
This can’t have been anything but pretty scary to the poor guy. Bright lights, strange noises, lots of people…he is obviously well trained and didn’t bolt or freak out, but took the smart way out. Glad he’s back home!
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I remember you had some experience of horses yourself. With your neighbors.
The horse behaved very calmly and did not panic when the train arrived. Hurrah that no one was injured!
A racehorse, I guess. Used to screaming and noise.