The RSPCA has condemned a video of a horse and trap cartwheeling over the central reservation of a dual carriageway as “shocking and horrific”.
The video, posted on Twitter this morning (8 January), shows horses taking part in what appears to be an illegal road race on a main road.
The footage appears to be taken from a car directly behind the two coloured horses, each pulling a lightweight trap.
With 4x4s close behind them, and to the revving of engines, they turn left at a roundabout on to the two-lane road, in traffic.
Among a great deal of shouting, a loud male voice can be heard calling: “Keep going boys, keep f***ing going.”
The horses gain speed, trotting along the carriageway amid the blare of horns, until the one on the left picks up canter and veers sideways, into the central reservation.
As shouts of “whoa, whoa, whoa” are heard, it appears the horse tries to jump the barrier, but the cart’s wheels and the driver can be seen flying into the air.
Article continues below…
‘Sheer anger’: farrier films horse being driven at 33mph in fast lane
'If one of the horses had gone down, there would have been carnage': the video shows the horse and trap
‘Extremely dangerous’: video shows pony being led from car on A43
The driver has been criticised for his or her actions
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
The video stops at this point and it is not clear what happened to the horse or driver.
An RSPCA spokesman told H&H: “This is a shocking and horrific video and we urge anyone with any information at all to contact the police, or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”
It has been reported that the road in question may be in Essex, but Essex Police was unable to comment as the incident had not been reported.
Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.