Colorado the flying horse and the greatest airbourne animals

Okay, okay, technically it's not a flying horse. In fact it was plucked to safety by a heavy-duty helicopter after it became stranded off an Arizona river sandbar, yesterday.

The horse, named Colorado, spent an epic five days stuck on the sandbar along the Gila River, south-west of Phoenix, USA.

The Gila's swift-moving current prevented an earlier rescue and the animal was trapped on the sandbar with a few bushes and trees to eat.

His rider was one of three people rescued after they tried to ride in the river on Friday.

A veterinarian prepped the 900-pound nag for the flight on Tuesday by injecting him with a tranquiliser before placing him in a harness with blinders on. Sounds like a trippy experience!

Once he was up, the reluctant Pegasus flew effortlessly for half a mile.

Brilliantly, anonymous donors paid for the rescue. Keep reading to see footage of the rescue and other brave animals taking to the skies (not exactly willingly)...


Airbourne dog rescue...


Polar bear takes to the skies...


Colorado isn't the first flying horse...


In fairness is the helicopter doesn't need to lift the animal, it won't.