'Every day someone drives unsafely near horses'

A rider recently involved in an accident has told the BBC that people driving dangerously near horses is a "daily" occurrence.

Beth Armitage, a 26-year-old freelance trainer and instructor from Skipton in North Yorkshire, was thrown from her horse because a car drove too fast and close to her mount, Smokey.

When she was on the ground, distressed Smokey stood on her face, leaving her with a serious injury that required hospital treatment.

According to data gathered from the British Horse Society, in 2023 there were on average five incidents reported a week in Yorkshire involving vehicles passing too close to horses.

The Highway Code changed in 2022, meaning drivers are now required to leave at least 2m (6.6ft) of space between the horse and vehicle. It also states cars should pass them no faster than 10mph.

Beth said: "If you do come across horses on the road, pass wide and slow."

Video by Jacob Tomlinson