This was the frightening moment when a horse broke free during this afternoon's Barley Saturday parade in Cardigan.

Shock can be seen on the faces of spectators lining the streets for the iconic event.

The equine parade was at the top of High Street and had nearly reached its conclusion when the grey horse was seen to 'hurl' his handler to the ground, according to one witness.

“The horse looked completely out of control and kept on running at a ridiculous speed, twice as fast as it would normally go," he said.

READ MORE: Woman hit by out-of-control horse at Saturday parade

Another spectator standing further up the road recounted what he saw as the horse galloped up the street at a 'thundering' pace.

The Scottish Farmer: All eyes were on the horse as he galloped on his way.All eyes were on the horse as he galloped on his way. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

It is understood that the horse fled after being frightened by girls screaming in the crowd and then ran between a chestnut horse and his handler.

This caused the chestnut horse to also break free and both horses galloped up the road where the chestnut came into contact with the woman, who was also taking part in the parade.

She was subsequently taken to hospital and allowed home later that evening.

“People in the parade started shouting to those ahead, but one woman – I think she was handling a donkey – couldn’t have heard," he said.

“The next thing we knew, she went down like a sack of spuds.

“I was so shocked that I swore out loud, and I actually feared for the worst.”

The parade was temporarily halted while police who were on duty at the event rushed to the scene, together with a St John Ambulance and a Wales NHS ambulance.

“There was a general hubbub of shock amongst the crowd when it happened, and then an appalling silence,” continued the witness.

The Scottish Farmer: The lone runner.....The lone runner..... (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

“The NHS ambulance left the scene about 3.30pm but there are unconfirmed reports that the person was ‘walking wounded,” he added.

Dyfed-Powys Police, the Wales Ambulance Service and the Barley Saturday parade organisers have been contacted for further information.