In this file photo Madonna arrives for the premiere of the film "I Am Because We Are" during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival in New York April 24, 2008. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. singer and actress Madonna was thrown from a horse and suffered minor injuries on Saturday after the animal was startled by photographers on New York’s Long Island, her spokeswoman said.

The 50-year-old entertainer was later released from a hospital with minor injuries and bruises, spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said in a statement.

“The accident occurred when the horse Madonna was riding was startled by paparazzi who jumped out of the bushes to photograph the singer who was visiting friends on Eastern Long Island over the weekend,” the statement said.

It added she would be having further tests and remained under observation by doctors.