HERE'S what some of our readers thought to the trampling of a seven-month-old baby's pram by a police horse in York.

On thepress.co.uk, Carpon said the incident - which took place during the launch of North Yorkshire Police's new 'unpredictable policing' campaign Project Servator - was "very unfortunate as these horses are very well trained".

Oldmgdriver said: "My grandfather had a big cart horse, when I was little he wouldn't let me within ten yards of it. I wouldn't let my grandchildren anywhere near one either.

"Moral, keep your pushchairs well away from big animals."

Mortified Mortician said investigation was needed into what spooked the horse, but the important thing was that nobody was seriously hurt.

They added: "The police bought a new pram/pushchair for the one damaged. Maybe now the horse involved needs retraining to see how it acts to unexpected noises and suitable to work again in public. Thoughts are also with the policeman involved.

"A police horse is like any well trained animal, no matter how good the training something can spook them and things like this can happen."

Whistlejacket, in response to Mortified Mortician, said: "If, as reported in the article, the mounted officer's reaction to this unfolding emergency was to burst into tears, perhaps it's not just the horse that requires retraining or a look at it's future suitability for police work."

Louise Taylor, commenting on Facebook, said: "It was an accident. The horse spooked. The baby seemed to be ok, if a little shocked as understandably was her mother. Unfortunately police horses attract lots of attention and whilst very well trained are still animals with their own minds.

"The police officer on the horse was also really upset by the whole incident. No need to go casting blame. The police officer did what she could to get the horse under control quickly. It could have been a whole lot worse. Lets all just be thankful that there was no serious injuries."

York Press:

Also on Facebook, Emma Welsh said: "I saw those poor horses yesterday being constantly touched on the face and surrounded by noisy public. I'm not surprised they got fed up with it. Not fair for the horses. However well trained they are it makes no sense to subject them to unnecessary stress."