A horse walking into the bar might sound like the start of a classic joke - but it really did happen in one Oswestry pub last week.

Customers enjoying a Sunday sup-up at the Plough in Oswestry were treated to an afternoon with Odin, a dressage pony whose owner had competed that day and came in for a post-event pint.

He was brought through the main door, much to the surprise of Mark Davies, manager of the Plough pub, on the corner of Beatrice Street and Castle Street,  who said Odin’s arrival into the pub was a bolt out of the blue.

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And he admitted that he was more than nervous to meet Odin, who is a dressage pony, because of his own equine phobia.

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But he admitted he was won over by his new four-legged friend, albeit with the safety of a bar between them.

Odin the pony at the Plough pub in Oswestry. Odin the pony at the Plough pub in Oswestry. (Image: The Plough.)

“I just looked up and saw Odin walking through the door,” he said.

“My girlfriend knew he was coming and so did my landlord, and all of the customers knew too, but they decided not to tell me.

“This is probably a bit of not wanting me to panic because I am scared of horses and also thinking that it might be very funny to watch my face.

“But I actually eventually fed him and stroked him and being honest, I did feel better afterwards for it.

“But I didn’t come out from behind the bar so I kept that level of safety between us.

“This was one of those days that you get in a pub that no-one is ever going to forget, the day when a pony came in for a drink.

“We knew that he would be ok as he’s a really calm pony and he just took everything in his stride.

“He’s a dressage pony so he’s taught to remain calm.

“I don’t know if he will ever come back but it was certainly a Sunday to remember.”

Customers in the pub were also full of praise for Odin, who visited the bar to chat with Mark and also allowed youngsters in with their families to stroke him.

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Rachel Scotland, also from the pub, added: "The Plough usually hosts live music, not livestock!

"We have been nominated in the Shropshire Music Awards in the Best Music Venue category for the second year running, and will be strolling up the red carpet next Thursday in Telford.

"Fingers crossed for our 'irregular' little pub."