A Christmas surprise that would have been an answered prayer for many Kentucky children caused a headache for one state police detective — he was unexpectedly saddled with a herd of horses.

Twenty-two horses mysteriously wandered into the front yard of Sgt. Jim Bowling's Bath County farm Tuesday night, police said in a news release.

Bowling said he did not know where the horses came from. It appeared they had been loose for a while and might have come from the direction of Interstate 64, the release said.

Bowling fenced in the horses and called several neighbors, but no one claimed to have any idea where the horses came from.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kentucky State Police post in Morehead at (606) 784-4127.

Josh Kegley: (859) 231-3197. Twitter: @HLpublicsafety.