ON Saturday October 18 my daughter and I were taking our horses for a ride. We were on our way back from Weir Quay heading home for Bere Alston.

We were on a straight stretch of road when a car towing a boat trailer came towards us at great speed, the trailer was bouncing everywhere. We beckoned for the driver to slow down, which is something I have rarely ever had to do before as most motorists have great respect, but this particular driver had no intentions of slowing down.

Even when my daughter?s horse reared up and started going backwards up over the hedge he still came on.

My 17-year-old horse, who is normally bomb-proof, was so frightened she was dancing on the spot and when the trailer was level with us my horse had to leap it, the back of the trailer hit her. The driver sped off. My horse had a puncture wound to her leg and the top of her hoof had been ripped. My daughter?s horse was so traumatised that when we walked them home she was jumping at every car that went past and she is normally excellent in traffic.

It was only a week to the day that a protest march was held in Plymstock as a young girl?s pony was ploughed down and killed. I hope the driver realises what he has done to our horses.

What would it have cost the driver to have slowed down, 30 seconds maximum? How long will it take us to regain our horses? confidence?

Remember, horses were on the road long before the motor car!

Steph Adams

Pounds Park, Bere Alston