Leona Lewis headbutted by horse

Apr 30, 2009, 9:15 GMT

02/07/2009 - Leona Lewis -A source told Britain\'s Daily Mirror newspaper: "Leona has been riding since she was a child and has never had a fear of horses. So she was really shaken up when the horse turned on her. Something startled the horse and it flicked its head back and smacked Leona full in the face. © Bob Charlotte / PR Photos

Leona Lewis suffered facial injuries after being headbutted by her horse.

The 'Bleeding Love' singer was thrown to the floor and suffered a split lip after the stallion - a present from friends - reared up and hit her during an early morning ride in Los Angeles.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Leona has been riding since she was a child and has never had a fear of horses. So she was really shaken up when the horse turned on her. Something startled the horse and it flicked its head back and smacked Leona full in the face.

"She was knocked flying by the force of it. Thankfully, she didn't need any surgery but was told to stay at home and rest just in case she passed out with concussion."

Leona has now been forced to postpone recording her second album after being ordered to rest, but her record label are confident she will still finish the new material in time.

The source added: "She had been due in the studio to record but she felt shaken up so they had to cancel.

"It has pushed everything back, but she's such a hard worker she'll easily make up for lost time."