Mare falls off trailer

The mare Puzzle Bride, who competed in coloured horse classes, was killed instantly on being hit by a lorry when the ramp of her trailer came down on the A5182 at Butterton, near Stoke-on-Trent, Great Britain.

The 12-year-old mare, who was owned by Sarah Bennett, was on loan to Samantha Wallbanks. Samantha and her husband, Mark,were travelling to the Alsager Equestrian Centre for the Northern Counties Pony Association when the incident happened.

“Mark had checked the trailer was secure before they set out,” said Ms Bennett. “But they encountered roadworks 10 minutes from home and we can only think the pins popped out going through the roadworks.”

The Wallbanks heard a slight noise, and pulled over to check the trailer as soon as it was safe to do so. But they discovered the ramp was down and the trailer empty.

“Sam ran back up road,” said Ms Bennett. “But she was stopped from approaching the horse, which had suffered horrific injuries.”