'Once-in-a-lifetime' horse killed in road crash to be remembered on safety campaign ride

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.

The British Horse Society campaign urges motorists to drive up to a maximum of 10mph when they pass horses, not to beep their horns or rev their engines, and pass wide and slowly.

Riders in Kinnerley are taking part, and will set off from the village hall - just yards away from where Razz was hit - and will ride up to Knockin Heath and back on a circular route.

Tara Jones, organiser of the Kinnerley ride, looked back on Razz's death. "It was awful," she said. "I was at home at the time and when I heard a horse had been hit in the village I raced up there. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

"There were some sandbags in the road and Myfanwy knew Razz would react so she tried to get the driver to slow down before it happened. But she didn't and the crash happened.

She added: "Normally when you go out on a ride you have at least one incident. A lot of drivers are really good and things have improved since the Highway Code was changed. And people do slow down if they see a rider has a camera on their helmet.

"But something always happens.

"I had someone crash into a car right next to me when I was out riding once. My horse did get spooked.

"One lady who's coming on the 'Pass Wide and Slow' ride said she hasn't ridden in the last seven years because she just doesn't feel it's safe.

"The ride is all about raising awareness. There has been an increased volume of traffic in the village and an increase in complaints about near-misses on our local Facebook page.

"The ride is a public ride - open to anyone either riding, driving, walking or cycling.

"There will be rosettes for those that complete the ride kindly sponsored by Tudor Griffiths Building Merchants."

To view the event on Facebook and express interest in joining, visit facebook.com/events/1365410287344778.