LAST Sunday I rode my horse from Worston village to Downham, then to Chatburn and home. I normally use the bridlepaths but owing to the foot and mouth outbreak, I wished to avoid all farms, which forced me on to the roads.

I was truly scared by the mindless disregard shown by the majority of drivers.

I had cars passing within a foot of the horse at between 40 and 50mph.

Please, drivers, a horse is not a bicycle -- they shy at all kinds of things which people in cars do not see -- bags in hedges, papers on the road, a bird flying out; the list is endless.

I wish the woman driver with two children in the back seat (not belted up) who passed me at about 45mph would think what it would be like to have a pony on her car bonnet and a rider through the windscreen!

With more now having to ride on the roads, please, just think what could happen if that horse you are approaching decides to move over.

LYNDA ENGLAND (Mrs), The Meadows, Worston, Clitheroe.