Animal rights activists have voiced their horror after footage emerged showing a terrified horse throw off a dancer in front of a large crowd.

The clip was taken inside Mokai nightclub in Miami, Florida, Local 10 reports.

It shows a woman wearing a thong attempting to ride the animal in front of clubbers.

Panicked, the horse throws its front legs in the air and the woman falls to the floor.

The venue has come under fire on social media after the video was shared.

One outraged Instagram user wrote: ‘This is not not okay and if it does not upset or disturb you then you need to re-evaluate yourself and your morals/values.

‘It is inhumane and the definition of animal cruelty.’

And she continued: ‘You deserve to be shut down for abusing this poor horse.’

Another wrote: ‘It's upsetting to see this beautiful soul being treated so inhumanly. For those of you at @mokaiofficial who participated and allowed this to happen, IT IS Animal Cruelty.

‘I hope the full force of Florida law is applied to those who were involved and this place gets shut down.’

Local 10 reports that the video has been passed to Miami Beach Police Department.

The venue is yet to comment on the controversial footage.