This is the harrowing moment a horse collapsed when an overtaking bus hit the carriage it was pulling for tourists in the Philippines.

The white mare was trotting along a road in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte when the large vehicle clipped the cart with a loud bang on September 3.

The impact caused the hapless horse to slip on the wet road, hitting a tricycle parked next to the pavement.

Passers-by later approached the kneeling equine and helped her as she struggled to stand up unaided. She also sustained minor injuries on her legs and feet after the crash.

Local media reported that the horse owner and the bus driver agreed on a settlement.

Following the incident, Philippine non-profit animal rights organisation Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) urged the local government to consider banning horse-drawn carriages on roads, saying the working animals are possibly overworked or exposed to the elements.

AKF Program Director Heidi Caguioa said: 'The horses are living creatures that have feelings. We also need to pay attention to their welfare as members of our community.'

The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office has said that the horse-drawn carriages - known in the country as 'kalesas' - are part of a drive to revive the province's heritage and boost tourism while also providing a livelihood for residents.

Kalesas were the primary mode of public and private transport during the 300-year Spanish occupation in the Philippines until 1898.