'Once-in-a-lifetime' horse killed in road crash to be remembered on safety campaign ride
The "heartbreaking" death of a horse in a road crash and a series of near-misses have prompted riders to issue a desperate plea to motorists to slow down.
On September 16, it will be seven years to the day since Razz, a "once-in-a-lifetime" horse ridden by Myfanwy Murray, was killed in a crash in Kinnerley, near Oswestry.
Co-incidentally, the tragic anniversary falls on the day of the British Horse Society's national "Pass Wide and Slow" campaign day, where riders in communities up and down the country will gather on rides to try and raise awareness of road safety for horses.
According to the charity, more than 3,500 incidents involving horses and vehicles were reported last year nationally, with 68 horses killed and 125 injured.
A total 139 people were injured, and 26 per cent of riders were subjected to road rage abuse, the charity said.
Elsewhere in Shropshire, a horse had to be put down after a crash on the A49 in Hadnall last year, an incident described as "an absolute tragedy for both horse and rider" by local parish council chairman John Harrison.
And in April this year, rider Cath Evans from Morda said she was "beyond fed up" with motorists who show "zero respect" for horses after dashcam footage showed a frightening near-miss when she was out riding with her daughter Keira, 15.
