Sue Hamley-Richards of North Pembrokeshire and groom Jane Howell attended the opening ceremony of a multi-user route between Narberth and Haverfordwest, held by Pembrokeshire County Council and charity Sustrans, on 1 August.

“After the opening Jane and I went for a drive with my six-year-old Welsh-section C Liam along the route,” Sue told H&H. “When we approached a shaded area I noticed a loose collie dog on the right and saw a man with three more collies up ahead.

“I steadied Liam and as we approached the man called his dogs and they went to him. I thanked the man and commented how brilliant his dogs were, but then the dogs rushed underneath Liam.”

Sue said Liam reacted as if he had been bitten by one of the loose dogs.

“The four dogs were rushing around Liam’s heels and he panicked. He was bucking and kicking and I think he got his leg caught over a trace, then he bolted with the dogs following,” she said.

“I was trying to steer and Jane fell out the side. I think the harness must have got caught while Liam was panicking but thankfully the dogs dropped back. Liam headed towards a bank, I fell out of the carriage and Liam got stuck in some trees.”

Jane, who suffered bruising, caught Liam while the dog owner called an ambulance for Sue.

“I realised I could move and the ambulance was cancelled. I had whiplash and bruised ribs, but I was more worried about Liam,” said Sue.

“The dog owner told me he regularly sees horses on his walks and his dogs have always been fine. Then he was gone. But it doesn’t matter if they’ve always been fine – they weren’t this time.

“I long-reined Liam back to the car park which settled him down. I reported the incident to the police, the dog warden and the British Horse Society. Things could have been a lot worse, there could have been children or families ahead. It’s really knocked my confidence and I’m sure it’s knocked Liam’s – I’ve not put him back in a carriage yet.”

Sue said multi-user routes are “wonderful”, but everyone needs to “play their part”.

“It’s great horses are being included on some routes. We don’t want to lose access by making enemies and have people say it’s simpler if we’re not there. The dog owner probably thought his dogs were so well trained they wouldn’t do anything, but the fact is they did – had they been on a lead this might not have happened,” she said.

Article continued below…

Horse bolts after being spooked by motocross bikes on bridleway

Usher was found on the road by a family

Calls for change in law after dogs chase mare and foal

‘I heard the pounding of hooves and saw the dog chasing them. The owner was nowhere to be seen.’

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

“We all need to be aware of each other – there could be walkers; cyclists; wheelchair users, riders and carriage drivers using the route. For multi-user routes to work everyone needs to be responsible – they won’t work if people think they’re the only ones using it.”

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We received a call from a member of the public to report an incident where four dogs had attacked a pony in the Canaston Wood area. The caller was advised to call again if they were able to identify the owner of the dogs.

“Police would remind all dog owners to ensure they are on leads when there is potential of causing harm or distress to other animals.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The RSPCA is now appealing for information after the accident on a “flashing lane” at the fair this afternoon (Friday 5 June).

The “flashing lane” is where horses are ridden and driven at high-speed to show them off to potential buyers.

One horse died in the accident and another horse had to be put down by a vet from Redwings.

The identity of the people involved in the crash is unknown, as they had left before RSPCA officers and the vet arrived.

“We believe one horse was pulling a sulky while the other is thought to have been being ridden,” said RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy.

“Our inspectors didn’t witness the incident but were on the scene shortly afterwards.

“We want to hear from anyone who did see what happened. They can approach us at the event or call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

RSPCA chief inspector Melloy said: “Two horses have died as a result of this incident, but it could have been worse still.

“People must ensure that they are in control when they are riding or driving horses on the flashing lane at speed.

“Failing to do so can easily result in serious injury and even death.”

The RSPCA is working with four other equine welfare organisations at Appleby Horse Fair — Redwings, the Blue Cross, The Donkey Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare.

The fair has been in existence for at least 300 years and is largest horse fair in Britain and among the oldest in Europe. It attracts around 40,000 visitors each year, including around 10,000 from the travelling community. This year it runs from 4-10 June.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A jogger was hospitalised after she was hit by a horse that had taken fright and bolted while pulling a trap down a busy road in Hartlepool earlier this month.

The horse, which was being driven by a 14-year-old girl, was reported to have bolted with its trap still attached. It caused damage to a car and a van before running into a 46-year-old woman who was out jogging. The woman was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees suffering from a head injury. She was later released.

Cleveland Police received calls from members of the public just before 6pm on 1 April informing them about the loose horse, which was described as “going wild and kicking out” and being in a “distressed” state.

The animal was believed to have been found shortly after the incident and its owners were traced later that evening.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police told H&H: “Our officer interviewed the 14-year-old female driver of the pony and trap under caution and a file will be prepared for the CPS.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Cars are banned on the Channel Island, which was the childhood home of GB Olympic dressage team member Carl Hester.

The tourist, aged in her 60s, was thrown onto the road, suffering head injuries when the carriage hit a hedge and rolled over at around 12.15pm yesterday (26 June).

She and the other injured, including the carriage driver, were taken to Guernsey by boat and transferred to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

The woman later died from her injuries.

Speaking to the BBC, Malcolm Mechem, from Guernsey Ambulance and Rescue, said: “The first two casualties were quite seriously injured, one was very serious, and the others were walking wounded with grazes, minor cuts, dislocations and fractures so it was quite bad.”

An investigation into the accident is being carried out by Sark and Guernsey police officers.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Terrence Eastman, from Waterlooville, was travelling in a horse and trap on the Hambledon Road towards Clanfield at around 10am on Sunday (14 August) when he was thrown from the carriage.

The 52-year-old was taken to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance, where he later died.

According to police a 40-year-old woman who was travelling with Mr Eastman got out of the trap to calm the spooked horse, but the animal bolted and took off with the carriage with Mr Eastman still in it.

The trap hit a road sign and threw Mr Eastman.

Police are treating it as an accident.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A spectator died at the show after being hit by a runaway horse and carriage (news, 23 June). Another seven people were injured.

The HSE is now searching for footage of the horse and carriage before the accident to help with its investigation.

The incident occured when a horse that had been giving carriage rides during the day bolted into crowds while still hitched to the vehicle.

If you can help, tel: 01603 828012.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (21 July, 2011)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Seven other people sustained injuries in the carnage that ensued at Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds, after the horse, understood to be a Breton gelding, bolted into panicked crowds while hitched to a carriage that had been giving rides during the day.

Carole Bullett, 57, was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for treatment, but died from her injuries.

A spokesman for organisers St Edmundsbury Borough Council told H&H: “We are in the very early stages of an investigation with the police and the Health and Safety Executive and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

“But we do know that the horse had been giving carriage rides during the day and was standing, being held by someone, when something happened to frighten it. It ran off, initially into the car park area away from the crowds. But then it made its way back into the event and ran down the main avenue, where everyone was enjoying themselves.”

Spectators reported seeing people throwing themselves out of the way of the horse, including one woman who flung herself out of her wheelchair, and a dog being run over.

Eyewitness Jon Kydd said: “Everyone was screaming for people to get out of the way. One lady tried to move, but it was too late. The horse, then the cart, hit her at full speed. It was horrendous.”

The council spokesman said this was the first time in the fair’s 22-year history that horse and carriage rides had been part of the event.

The rides were operated by Duncan Drye, whose company has been giving popular carriage tours around Bury St Edmunds since last summer.

Mr Drye said: “It’s difficult to comprehend that such a terrible result should come from this event and our deepest sympathies are with the family. We will not be making any further comment until the investigation is completed.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (23 June, 2011)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now