Anger at pony injury

HORSERIDERS – upset by a pony being injured in a collision with an ambulance – have called for emergency vehicles to stick to the main roads.

HORSERIDERS - upset by a pony being injured in a collision with an ambulance - have called for emergency vehicles to stick to the main roads.

Riders stabling their mounts along Wotton Lane, at Lympstone, are still shocked by the accident which occurred when the animal was being ridden along the narrow country lane.

The competition pony needed veterinary care, 15 stitches on its hindquarters and cannot be ridden until it has recovered.

Horse owner Lynn Tanton, 41, of Marpool Crescent, who helped the 13-year-old rider and her injured pony to safety to wait for a vet, said the lane was too narrow for emergency service vehicles.

She called for the fire brigade, police and ambulance service to stop using the lane as a short cut.

She said the lane had very few pull-ins for vehicles when they came up against another car or horse.

The horse owner also said non-emergency vehicles regularly used the narrow lane as a rat run, often travelling at high speeds.

She said: "It's going to take a child to get killed before someone does something about it."

It is believed the pony was being ridden by an Exmouth girl when the accident happened.

The competent young rider and the pony were wearing fluorescent, reflective clothing.

The family who own the pony are said to be 'disgusted' by the animal's injury.

It is not thought the ambulance was travelling to an emergency call.

A spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service said: "This is being investigated. Until we have the outcome, it would be inappropriate to comment.