The former horse trainer bought Zebedee, a 14-month-old zebra, for 4,500 pounds (S$10,608) and says it took three weeks for the animal to get used to being ridden, reported The Sun newspaper.

Mr Turner began riding the zebra around his farm but soon set off for his local, the King's Arms near Sherborne, Dorset.

The first time he made the trip he had his wife drive alongside him in case Zebedee couldn't make the distance, about 2.4km.

"He had no trouble and even cantered for a bit. The regulars got an incredible shock when I rode up," he said.

Mr Turner said the RSPCA had told him there was no problem with riding a zebra, reported news.com.au.

"He loves being ridden and it means I don't have to worry about being breathalysed," he said.