From BBC NewsThe new landlady of a Tyneside pub has spoken of her surprise at discovering that one of the regulars is a horse.
Jackie Gray recently took over the Alexandra Hotel in Jarrow and said she was shocked when carthorse Peggy joined owner Peter Dolan for a pint.
The 12-year-old female, which has a taste for John Smiths and pickled onion crisps, has apparently been visiting the pub for several years.
Mrs Gray was taken aback at first but says Peggy is no bother at all.
She said: "When I bought the pub a few weeks ago I heard rumours that one of the regulars was a horse but I didn't quite believe them.
"It was a hot day when the horse came in and I was shocked at first because I have never run a pub before."
Retired oil rigger Mr Dolan, 61, from Jarrow, bought Peggy six years ago and discovered her fondness for the pub when she followed him inside.
She had been tied up, but the rope was so long she was able to follow Mr Dolan right up to the bar.
He said: "Peggy's no bother at all. Most of the regulars know her as she's been coming in here for years and for them Peggy's a bit of a novelty. She's a proper lady."
This horse walks into a pub...no, really!
This horse walks into a pub...no, really!
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eefanincan
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Horse Banned From Pub
Updated: 12:51, Saturday October 14, 2006
The new landlord of a pub has said he had no choice when he took over but to ban one of the regulars - a two-year-old pony called Morning Mist. The mare with a penchant for John Smiths beer was a regular customer at the Port O'Call pub along with owner Tony Manton. But when Graham Wheatley and Craig Thomas took over the pub, Morning Mist was given her marching orders on the grounds of health and safety.
Mr Manton, 62, is not happy about the changes at the pub, in Marshfield, situated between Cardiff and Newport. He said: "I don't blame them for what they are doing but it's becoming a 'yuppie' pub. Not only have they done away with the pony, but they have got rid of the bar stools and tables and brought in settees and the like. It's no longer one of your traditional country pubs."
He added: "I only took the pony in for a laugh one day when I was trying to get her used to traffic and people but it proved to be popular with the locals. She liked to drink John Smiths. I occasionally give her a can of John Smiths now but I don't suppose it's the same for her."
Sky News caught up with Morning Mist at the pub, and she demonstrated her penchant for Guinness. An unrepentant Mr Wheatley said: "With the previous owner, when you opened the door to the pub you were confronted by a horse's backside. When you are trying to serve fresh, good food, it's the last thing you want to see."
He told Sky News that Morning Mist was still welcome to drink in the pub's car park, but could no longer come in.
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I bet he whinny want to go there much now...