A horse trailer heading for a polo match in Mokuleia overturned in the westbound lanes of the H-1 freeway Sunday morning, injuring the horse inside.

Ricardo Villegas, who was taking the horse to ride in polo matches on the North Shore, declined to identify the horse or comment further because he does not own the horse.

Hawaii News Now reported that the horse later died.

Honolulu firefighters treated the horse for a large scrape on its right hindquarter and helped calm it after the accident at about 11:10 a.m. The horse ran onto the freeway before its handlers were able to bring it back to the shoulder lane.

Police closed three lanes of the H-1 freeway just before the Waimalu offramp.

Dan Healy, general manager of the Hawaii Polo Club, said a replacement rider and horse were found for the two matches that Villegas and the horse missed.