A horse suffered leg injuries that cost hundreds of pounds in medical costs and its rider suffered whiplash injury  because a motorist didn’t give the pair enough room.

Rob McGregor, 77,  drove off without stopping after hitting the horse called Apollo as he overtook it close to his home in a village near Selby, York Magistrates Court heard.

Although he was followed from the scene to his home, he initially denied any wrongdoing and only changed his plea on the day he was due to stand trial.

McGregor, of Westcroft Lane, Hambleton, pleaded guilty to careless driving and failure to stop after a collision.

He was given eight penalty points and ordered to pay more than £2,200 in fines, prosecution costs and a statutory surcharge.

York magistrates heard the horse’s owner had to pay more than £470 in vet bills.

After the hearing, PC Sam Potts of North Yorkshire Police said:  “A few seconds' loss of concentration is all it takes to cause injuries that last a lifetime and even fatalities.

 “Motorists need to remember the ‘ten and two’ rule when passing horses – allow two metres and limit your speed to 10mph."

A car shows how to pass a horse and rider safelyA car shows how to pass a horse and rider safely

 “North Yorkshire is a rural county which is popular with horse riders, cyclists and has a lot of wildlife and livestock that can wonder into the path of traffic, so it’s always important to expect the unexpected.”

The collision happened on February 12 this year in Westcroft Lane.  Apollo was being ridden by a woman rider when McGregory struck the horse’s hind leg and didn’t stop.  The collision happened with such force that the rider suffered whiplash injuries.

Any driver who causes injury has to stop by law and provide their name and address and their car details to the injured party.

Westcroft Lane is a straight road on the outskirts of Hambleton with country roads at either end.