Horse riding injury claims

Even if you are very careful and take all the precautions that you can yourself, you could sustain an injury as a result of an accident that was not your fault. If the accident and injuries occur through someone else’s negligence then you may be entitled to claim for compensation.

With horse riding, there are many circumstances that could lead to an accident. You could be riding a horse on a road when a car passes too closely, spooking the horse, or be involved in a road traffic accident. You could be injured as a sports spectator or participant, or you could be given a horse to ride that has a known bad temperament, without being made aware. In all cases, if you believe that the accident or injury was as a result of someone else’s negligence then please get in touch to discuss your claim.

If you are learning to ride a horse you could sustain injuries during lessons, through being kicked, bitten or trampled by a horse. You may have been given defective riding equipment such as helmets, saddles, bridles and reins which lead to an accident, or you may have been given a horse you are incapable of handling.

Venue owners and event organisers have a responsibility to ensure that the correct safety measures are in place. They should maintain their jumps, obstacles, riding surfaces and barriers to avoid falls and accidents as far as possible.

If you are working with horses, either voluntarily or paid, you could sustain injuries from working on a farm, livery or in stables or similar. Your employer has a duty to ensure that:

• The facility meets all safety requirements
• You are provided with full training and the correct equipment to do your job
• You are only given horses that you are capable of handling

Some risk is to be expected when working or dealing with horses as they can be unpredictable. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be kept safe around them though – accidents can be prevented with the right precautions and safety measures in place and with no unnecessary risks taken.

If you have an accident, make sure that firstly you visit your GP, walk in centre or hospital to get treatment for your injuries. In order to make a claim, gather all information that you can about the accident.

• Take photos of the place the accident occurred, photos of your injuries and also of the horse that injured you.
• Get contact details of any witnesses
• Report the accident to the relevant bodies – if the accident happened at a riding school or stables then report it to staff and keep a copy of the accident report form for your records. If the accident happened on a road or in a public place then report it to the police.
• Also report any accidents to the British Horse Society.
• Keep a diary of all the care and medical attention you require, all symptoms and expenses.

Whether you are an employee, a learner or an experienced rider – if you or a loved one have been involved in an accident that occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence – putting you at unnecessary risk – then get in touch to discuss your claim…