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'I took my pony to McDonald's and he was lovin' it'

Elliott Webb,BBC Hereford and Worcesterand
Alex McIntyre,West Midlands
Nick Holden A black and white pony, viewed from the rider's position, sticks it's head into a window at a McDonald's drive-thru while two staff members smile and pet it.Nick Holden
Nick Holden turned up at the McDonald's branch in Wychbold on his pony Sparky

Fast food staff were left shocked and confused when a man on a pony turned up at a McDonald's drive-thru.

Eventing horse rider, Nick Holden, posted a reel on his Instagram feed documenting his journey to the branch in Wychbold, Worcestershire, atop his black and white steed, Sparky.

It has since been viewed more than 590,000 times and received hundreds of comments, with many describing the pair's adventure as "awesome".

Holden, from Feckenham, revealed he did the same journey on horseback about 10 years ago, when he could not drive.

"It was my only way of getting there," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "So I figured I'd give it a go and see if we could still do it."

Sparky measures about 14.2 hands, which Holden described as being on the cusp between a large pony and small horse.

"I figured he was more acceptable," he added. "I've got some bigger horses that are like 18 hands, but I don't think I'll be getting them under the height barriers."

Event rider Nick Holding took Sparky to McDonald's for lunch

When the pony and rider arrived at McDonald's, they waited by the speaker at the beginning of the drive-thru lane but nobody responded.

So Holden took Sparky to the first window and waited until a staff member saw them.

"The woman came to the window and got a bit of a shock," said Holden.

But he said they were "really lovely" and more than happy to serve Holden his chicken nuggets and fries, while Sparky got a free bag of apple slices, as bemused diners looked on.

The pair then left the drive-thru and, on the way back to Feckenham, they stopped in Hanbury Woods and had a picnic.

Nick Holden A man with wavy blond and brown hair, and wearing a green and blue jacket, smiles as he takes a selfie with a black and white pony, which is lying on the grass in a field.Nick Holden
Nick Holden said he thought Sparky was an acceptable size for the drive-thru

Asked how Sparky reacted, Holden said: "I think he loved it, he loves attention. He's technically retired now from competition so he doesn't get out massive amounts at the moment.

"Any opportunity he has for going out and exploring the world, I think he's grateful for."

According to McDonald's guidelines, drive-thrus should only be used by motor vehicles and road-worth mobility scooters, not by pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders.

When asked about this, Holden said: "Well, I'd argue horses were the original mode of transport so they should be exempt."

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