The man was hit by a horse when he and his fellow protesters tried to form a line in front of a hunting party on the North and West Yorkshire border at Monkfryston, near Ferrybridge.

We perfectly understand that people might want to protest but it's getting out of hand when people jump in front of horses.

Simon Hart, The Campaign for Hunting

He was rushed to York District Hospital for checks.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire Air Ambulance service said his injuries were not thought to be serious.

The 17-hand high horse struck the protester while trying to jump over him, according to the horse's owner, Field Master Peter Rigal.

"I was taking the field at a canter and the anti-hunt protesters were walking along the side and then formed a line in front of me," said Mr Rigal, who was in charge of the hunt.

"I had nowhere to go with 120 horses behind me and although my horse tried to jump over him it caught his shoulder.

"This behaviour is of no help to anyone and is extremely dangerous and upsetting."

There were about eight saboteurs in the injured man's group, he added.

Dangerous tactics

Simon Hart, of The Campaign for Hunting said protests of this type put everyone at risk.

"From our point of view there is no problem at all with legitimate protests but there are clearly huge risks in jumping out in front of 120 horses going at 30mph," he said.

"The protesters are not only risking themselves but the horses and riders and it is crazy and upsetting for everyone.

"A man has been injured and nobody wants that.

"We perfectly understand that people might want to protest but it's getting out of hand when people jump in front of horses."