Car crashes into horse just off Station Road in Brampton

Jayne Nicholls was riding her 16-year-old stallion near her home in Brampton in Suffolk when it happened. 

Mrs Nicholls, 62, said: "I ride my horse, Captain, every day, he is ever so well-behaved and everyone in the village knows him.

"Because I use the roads on the daily, I always have a high-vis on to ensure road users can see me.

"We were just going about how we do normally, on our daily ride when suddenly a car smashed into the back of us."

The accident happened on Station Road on January 9.

Mrs Nicholls said the motorist was left "shaken" by the accident. Captain was injured and is now recovering. 

She said: "The woman [driver] did stop and was really apologetic, she told me, 'I'm so sorry, my dog jumped on my lap and I swerved.'

"The driver was shaken, but she could have killed me and my horse because of her dog jumping on me. Flesh from my horse's leg was stuck in between the wheel and the tyre.

"My horse is a saint and didn't bolt or throw me off in a panic."

Mrs Nicholls, who owns and lives at the Old Railway Tavern Cattery in Station Road, said she hoped action would be taken to slow down traffic there. 

She said: "It is crazy how this tiny rural country road has a 60mph speed limit.

"Dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians walking to the train station all use this road.

"I have paid out of my own pocket for signs to be placed on the road about horse riders but it isn't enough."

Mrs Nicholls's 16-year-old horse Captain's leg is on the mend (Image: Jayne Nicholls)

Mrs Nicholls said Captain had been resting since the incident.

She said: "He is now stuck in his stable and awaiting scans to reveal the extent of injuries. It is a shame but I'm grateful he is alive.

"But more worryingly, I do not yet know how mentally traumatised Captain will be, like I am, and if I will ever be able to take him out again.

"But thankfully his leg injuries are on the mend."