A VERY dangerous incident happened while I was riding my horse, which is usually excellent in traffic, on a 'quiet' country lane last week. I hope that by relating it, I can emphasise the dangers horse riders face.

I was riding along Hasty Brow Road towards Hest Bank when a large 4x4 overtook as I went under the railway bridge.

The sound of a vehicle driving under a bridge is different than on the open road, however, and it terrified my horse, which tried to gallop away.

The driver kept up with us for some way along the road before seeing sense and dropping behind so that I was able to stop our mad dash.

I usually try to avoid this road, which was the scene of a horse fatality in an accident three years ago, but on Monday there was a horse show at the Vale of Lune and the alternative to this route was either the promenade or Skerton - not good as both involve much greater distances with heavy traffic.

This incident highlights the need for care when passing horses, and, our desperate need for safer off road routes.

So please if you see a horse, no matter how quiet it looks, take just a few moments longer to pass quietly and slowly for the safety of us all.

Vicky Lowe, Morecambe.