TWO people have been arrested after a horse "drowned" in the sea on a Bridlington beach.
The animal was one of three witnesses saw being raced on North Beach by suspected travellers last week.
It is thought to have drowned when it was taken into the water at about 3.30pm on Friday.
Police had received a number of reports of a group of travellers riding horses pulling traps along the beach.
After the horse died, a boy, aged 17, and a man, 45, were arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.
RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmond said: "The RSPCA is investigating exactly what happened, along with Humberside Police.
"We have sent the horse's body off for post mortem and are awaiting the results."
While the results have not yet come back, it is believed that the horse died from drowning.
Witnesses say they saw a group of travellers racing along the beach during the afternoon as families sat nearby.
The horse was seen being taken into the sea, before its trap overturned.
Onlookers say it was seen "thrashing in the water", before its owners jumped in to try to resuscitate it by pumping on its chest.
Police received a 999 call at 3.49pm, and arrived on the scene shortly after.
They interviewed a number of witnesses on the beach, before arresting the boy and man.
Photographer David Hollingworth, 71, of Bridlington, overheard a man telling a police community support officer further along the beach what had happened.
He said: "I don't know whether the horse died of a heart attack after being taken into the sea or whether it drowned.
"It's very shocking and just not something families expect to see when they are out enjoying the sun on a day-trip.
"I got to the scene at about 6pm to take a photograph and saw two or three families coming off the sand because they didn't want their children to be looking at a dead horse.
"There were also fisherman nearby who may have seen what happened.
"I saw tracks in the sand and maybe someone thought it was a bit of fun but their actions had consequences and hopefully they will be brought to justice."
The RSPCA arrived on scene at about 8pm and spent an hour removing the horse's body from the beach.
The charity, which is responsible for protecting animals, is now likely to lead the prosecution.
A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "We would appeal for any witnesses to come forward, particularly if they have information in connection with the identity of the person driving the horse and trap."
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting log number 596.
