A horse suffered an unfortunate injury, with it's rider thrown from the saddle, while out for a walk on Irvine Beach.

The Coastguard was called out shortly before 3pm today (Sunday) to reports of an injured horse on the beach this afternoon.

As they arrived on scene, the injured horse had been walked off the beach and was being put into a horse box parked at Irvine Beach Park.

A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Coastguard said: "The team liaised with persons on scene to ensure that all persons were safe and well, including providing an initial assessment and immediate casualty care and of the rider who had fallen from the horse, but was thankfully uninjured.

"With the horse and all persons off the beach and a vet on scene, the team stood down and returned to station to complete the necessary paperwork before booking off duty to return to their usual Sunday afternoon activities."