A 15-YEAR-old girl is mourning her beloved pony after a bizarre series of mishaps which have prompted a warning to drivers.

Last week's torrential rain closed Rachel Dunn's school so her mother - Mrs Wendy Dunn - allowed her out for a ride on the lanes between Trimdon and their home in Kelloe.

Mrs Dunn, who is chairman of the North-East Dartmoor and Exmoor Enthusiasts, said: "Rachel is a very good rider who has competed on this pony, hacked for miles, hunted and all sorts.

"They were coming back when they met a farmer on a tractor, with a hedge cutter, which makes a horrendous noise. He switched them both off to let her pass by, but then started the motors up again immediately afterwards."

The sudden noise from behind terrified the seven-year-old thoroughbred cross which bolted, although Rachel managed to get it into a layby and tried to calm it down.

However the pony ran backwards into the hedge and when its rider jumped off she realised it was standing on just three legs.

"It had backed into rubbish dumped in the hedge bottom and something slashed through both main tendons and the arteries as well.

"There was blood spurting up into the air and Rachel was absolutely hysterical. The farmer, who was out of sight, was oblivious to what had happened.

"But luckily a young man in a car stopped to help and telephoned me. When I arrived I tried to stem the blood with towels and he gave me his tie to act as a tourniquet."

The family got a horsebox out to take the frightened animal home and called the vet.

"Unfortunately the news wasn't good and the pony had to be put to sleep.

"We are very lucky to have a big horse that we share and I managed to get Rachel out riding again, but obviously she is still very nervous.

"But nothing will replace her own pony - ironically called No Regrets - with a stable name of Snottley. We have been through all the 'if onlys', even down to the weather."

She appreciates the farmer was trying to be helpful by switching off , but points out: "Drivers must be aware that horses are not machines and are very easily spooked."

The council has been contacted to remove the rubbish.