THERE could have been “devastating consequences” after a horse puts its hoof through a footbridge’s defective deck, according to its rider.

Haughhead bridge was closed by the council on Monday following the incident.

On Saturday Nicola Philip, from Innerleithen, was riding her pony from an event at Tweedside Caravan Park back to Haughhead Stables when the surface gave way.

Ms Philip said: “One of the pony’s feet went right through the bridge and it could have had devastating consequences, leaving a pony with a broken leg. Thankfully, the animal is fine.

“We moved the barriers back out on the bridge, to cover this new hole and contacted Scottish Borders Council (SBC) as it is unsafe to use for all walkers, cyclists and horses.”

Many riders, dog walkers and cyclists use the former railway bridge to access the Innerleithen multi-use track.

But over the years it has deteriorated.

Ms Philip added: “The bridge has been in this state for a long time and should have been repaired immediately.

“It is such a popular bridge for walkers and cyclists and we use it to take children and adults out for walks on the horses and ponies so we can use the multi-use path.

“We won’t use the bridge so have to use an alternative route for our rides, which leaves us no choice but to go along the single track back road.

“This is a nightmare and very unsafe due to the vehicles taking the bikers up to the forest, logging lorries and people driving far too fast along the road.”

Innerleithen resident Bruce Baker said: “This really needs to be fixed, it has been like this a few years now.”

Two widely shared Facebook posts were made about the incident.

Tweeddale East councillor Marshall Douglas said: “Following the reports on Facebook concerning the horse incident, I contacted officers at SBC.

“The footpath over the bridge will be closed pending investigation and assessment of the repairs needed to make the path safe.

“The condition of the bridge is obviously concerning.

“I have been working with fellow ward councillors and council officers, as well as with other agencies, to establish a scheme for long-term repairs. 

“Both SBC and local councillors take this matter extremely seriously and are working to find a solution.”