How not to transport a horse

Photo / Facebook

Police in Northland are due to speak to the driver of a small truck seen carrying a horse on the back of its cab on the open road in Kaitaia.

Houhora Police posted a photo of a horse standing on the back of a truck without anything to support or restrain it.

An officer running the site accompanied the photo with the word "speechless!'' He also told members of the public who commented on the photo that a number of people had seen the vehicle and police were now due to talk to the driver.

"This vehicle had been seen at open road speed on State Highway One,'' police said.

"This photo has been sent to me from over the weekend - and several different people have seen it. But enquiries will be made as to exactly what was going on and then a decision made as to a course of action.''

A member of the public posted that he and some friends had seen the vehicle leaving Ahipara - about 13km away from Kaitaia, where the photo was captured.

Many people condemned the driver's actions and said they feared for the horse's safety. Others acknowledged that having the animal standing unrestrained like that not only endangered the horse itself, but other motorists following behind.

Daniel Connell wrote: "As a truck driver, this doesn't surprise me in the least! You'd be surprise what we see every day.''