A Beckenham rider was “traumatised” after her horse was reportedly hit by a trailer that sliced the animal’s leg muscles and left a wound “as deep as a pocket”.

WARNING: The gallery at the top contains images that some readers may find distressing

Zoe Bullas, who was riding her horse of six years Daisy in Layhams Road, Keston, on Sunday morning, said they were a victim of a “hit and run” after the van’s trailer hit Daisy and the driver did not stop.

The alleged incident, which happened at about 7.50am, has been reported to the police and left Daisy with a gash on her thigh which cut through three muscles.

Miss Bullas, who lives in Holmedene Close, told News Shopper: “The trailer sliced through three muscles in her thigh. She was traumatised, I was traumatised.

“The pictures don’t do it justice. It looks like brains coming out of her bum. It is very deep, the vet could fit his hand down it like a pocket.”

The 21-year-old, who was thrown to the ground in the incident, said she went riding early in the morning so that the roads were quieter.

She added: “There were no cars, then I could hear this car, and this person was coming towards me for a good 100 metres, so he could see me.

“He didn’t slow down, I could hear his foot still on the gas.

“She started to spook and ran backwards and turned to run home and I fell off. She was turning to go home but the van was still going past her.

“I fell off and she was running off and I could see blood running down her legs. I don’t remember running after her.

“It was like he didn’t see me at all, he was driving in the middle of the road, but it was a sunny morning, bright, clear and everything.

“I don’t know what kind of van it is, but if I saw it again I would know.”

News Shopper:

Zoe Bullas and Daisy

Miss Bullas took to Facebook to hunt down the person responsible and the post has been shared more than 2000 times.

She wrote: “To the b****** that did a hit and run into me and Daisy, on Layhams Road, Keston on a quiet Sunday morning at 7.50am.

“Even though you saw me fall off and Daisy gallop loose down the road, you still failed to stop.

“You've left my horse in massive amounts of pain and three muscles sliced in half.

“You've shattered mine and Daisy's confidence on the roads and I'm hoping and praying she makes a full recovery and pulls through like the war horse that she is.

“I didn't catch the name of the cyclists who helped me and caught her for me but I am most grateful.

“Just proves that these roads are unsafe to ride down. Have given the police a statement, and cameras were on the road 50m from where you knocked us, so we are on the lookout for you.”

The van was described as old, bright blue and pulling a trailer.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.

He said: "Police are investigating after a collision between a van and a horse.

"On Sunday, 30 April at 08:10 the horse was being ridden in Layhams Road, Keston.

"A collision occurred between ad blue van the horse; the van did not stop.

"The rider was thrown from the horse, no injuries.

"The horse received a gash to its side.

"No arrests. Enquiries continue."