A HORSE has been viciously attacked by a Bull Mastiff dog in a forest near Hurn.

Rider Georgia tried to fight the large black dog off with her whip as it bit and scratched at her 13-year-old horse Alfie during the ordeal in Ramsdown Forest.

But it ignored her shouts, ripping gashes of more than two centimetres in the animal’s leg.

Now Georgia, 20, is warning other riders and walkers to be on their guard.

She said: “The dog came charging up the hill after us. Alfie is as good as gold with dogs so I wasn’t worried at first.

“But he went straight for the back of Alfie, attacking from behind, and then ran round to the front and started grabbing onto his chest and ripped that open.

“I was shouting at the top of my voice for someone to come and get their dog.”

Passers-by and Georgia’s riding pal looked on helplessly until the owner arrived with the dog’s collar and lead.

Georgia, who has been unable to contact the owner, told the Echo: “I started trying to hit the dog away with the end of my whip and even got off Alfie to try and get the dog to come away but it was impossible.

“Two men came up the hill and started calling the dog but he wasn’t listening. I’m just lucky he didn’t go for me too.”

Vets bills for Alfie’s treatment will run into hundreds of pounds. His wounds need to be cleaned daily and he can’t lie down because they are so tender.

“When he was being attacked he was so scared he just froze on the spot,” Georgia said. “I want people to know about this before it happens again with the same dog.

“There is nothing you can do really, but I just wanted to protect Alfie.

“Imagine if it had been a child.”

Police have informed the dog warden about the incident, which happened at around 11.45am on Sunday. Witnesses should call police on 01202 222222 or 0800 111 000.