A PHOTO of two horseriders queueing up at a McDonalds drive-thru is sweeping the internet – but it isn’t their first time stopping for a quick refuel.

A Facebook post of Olivia Mortimer, 25, and Emily Maher, 15, both from Urmston, on horseback at McDonalds in Stretford has been shared by thousands of people and made national headlines today.

The friends had stopped for chocolate milkshakes whilst on out on a ride with their five-year-old ponies Raffa and Billy on Sunday January 8 when the snap had been taken, unbeknownst to them.

Despite accounts saying they were handed their order out of the window, they didn’t quite get that far. The manager told them that they couldn’t place an order as the drive-thru was for ‘motorised vehicles only’.

They had to make their way to a waiting bay and Olivia nipped into the fast food restaurant in her riding gear to pick up the milkshakes.

Olivia said: “It is the third time we have gone to a McDonalds but we usually go to the one in Urmston. It is good for the horses to be on the roads, especially in the winter, it builds up their confidence and keeps them fit.

“Everybody just stared and the kids came out to stroke the ponies. McDonalds refused to serve us as they said the drive-thru was for motorised vehicles only but they had no tie-ups for horses, they should be more accommodating. If I had been on my own I wouldn’t have been able to be able to go in and leave the horse unattended.”

The award-winning horseriders, who both compete locally and at Urmston and District Riding Club, travelled up Urmston Lane, turned right at the Edge Lane traffic lights and down the A56 to McDonalds.

But the experienced riders said the horses were fine and in safe hands.

“We really encourage road safety and are always very visible,” added Olivia.