Following an incident in Cornwall, the British Horse Society is urging England football supporters to be aware of the dangers that flying flags on their cars could create for horses and riders, H&C has learned.

A rider was hospitalised in Southern Cornwall when the horse she was riding took fright at the noise of flapping flags mounted on the bonnet of a passing car. The horse bolted and fell, narrowly missing a second car.

Sheila Hardy, BHS Senior Executive of the Safety Department, said: “The BHS understands fans wishing to show their support for the England team by flying St George’s flags on their vehicles.

“However, we would ask everyone to be aware that horses are likely to be startled by the loud flutter that car window flags generate and to pass any horses they encounter on the road with due care and attention.”

The Society is advising drivers with car-mounted flags to slow down even more and give horses a wider berth when overtaking. We would also ask supporters to consider flying flags only on the offside of their vehicle to allow more room between the horse and the flag.

The issue has prompted much debate on the H&C Forum, with H&C user Ceri Deveney saying: "Take extra care whilst the world cup is on - hopefully there won't be anymore accidents like this."

H&C Forum user Jowonderwellies stated that football paid out for her yard: "After running the gauntlet through the village on several occasions, not just the flags on the cars, but houses, pub and village green we decided to adorn the stable yard with flags in the hope the horses would accept these horrible flappy items which I am happy to say they have to a point. In return the villagers seeing we were in the spirt rather than moaning treated the whole yard to a pub lunch and promised only to fly the really, really, scary big pub flag on days when England are playing."

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