Dyfed-Powys Police is warning motorists to be mindful of horse riders on country roads.

It follows an incident in which a 12-year-old child was thrown off a horse after it was spooked by a vehicle.

A police officer from Newtown's roads policing unit said: "Please be mindful of other road users particularly on narrow unclassified roads. You never know who/what is around the corner.

"This horse was being ridden in Montgomeryshire was spooked by a vehicle and threw its 12-year-old rider off."

"Everyone is ok but could have been different."

The British Horse Society says that in 2018, 87 horses and four people were killed while riding on the roads, and 73 per cent of incidents reported occurred due to vehicles passing by too closely.

The charity is urging drivers to be more careful when passing horses on the road, with statistics showing an incident increase of 109 per cent compared to 2017.

The British Horse Society says if you see a horse on the road:

1. Slow down to a maximum of 15mph

2. Be patient – do not sound their horn or rev the engine

3. Pass the horse wide and slow, (if safe to do so) at least a car’s width if possible

4. Drive slowly away