Horse Riding Accidents

Horse riding is an enjoyable hobby for many adults and children in the UK and there are lots of different hobbies relating to it, e.g. hacks, organised rides on the roads, riding in the country and show jumping events.

With horse riding comes a set of risks that most experienced horse riders will know about. Horses are large and powerful creatures and a fall from one can cause particularly devastating injuries. Many horse riders who have been riding for years are already likely to have sustained a number of injuries.

In many cases, a horse riding injury is sustained due to a pure accident which cannot be apportioned to another party. However, there are some instances where a person has been injured while horse riding through no fault of their own. In these cases, it can often be possible to make a personal injury claim.

Horse Riding Accidents On The Road

Falling off a horse is one of the most common kinds of horse riding accidents. Riding your horse on the roads is another risk of having an accident. However, many riders need to do this in order to gain access to bridle paths and country roads. Drivers have a responsibility to look out for horse riders and be mindful of the different needs riders have on the roads. For example, drivers are not permitted to beep their horns near a horse as it could cause them to jump and throw a rider off or cause a disruption in the road.

Another consideration is that horse riders do not approach a right-hand turning by moving into the middle of the road, instead, they begin turning right after signalling when they are at the junction they wish to turn into. All drivers should be aware of these kinds of different requirements from horse riders so that accidents can be prevented as much as possible.

Common Horse Riding Injuries

Horses can reach speeds of around 30 – 40 mph. A fall from a horse at this speed can cause serious and life-long injuries, some can even be fatal. The most common kinds of injuries that claimants suffer are:

• Head injuries and brain damage
• Spinal injuries
• Broken bones

Horse Riding Accidents Common Causes

Many of the above injuries are caused by some common kinds of accidents which are:

• Road accidents involving a horse rider and another vehicle
• If there has been an organised hack or ride and the management of it has been poor. e.g. failure to lead effectively by the manager or failure to signal properly to other road users could cause an accident
• Poor road or path surfaces could cause a horse to stumble and a rider to fall off
• If defective equipment has been used e.g. reins, saddle or riding hat
• Horse riders who have been given a horse to ride that has an unstable temperament
• Horses can sometimes fall on top of riders or passengers of a car if there has been a road collision and this can often cause severe crushing injuries and/or fatalities
• Horses are also capable of kicking, biting and behaving in an unpredictable manner, all of which could cause you an injury if you are riding

If you have been injured in a horse accident for one of the reasons above then you could make a personal injury claim. If the reason for your accident is not one of the above then you could still claim compensation. It is advisable to speak directly with a personal injury lawyer to find out whether or not your accident claim is valid.

How Can I Prevent A Horse Riding Injury?

There are certain steps horse riders can take to limit the potential of an accident. Wearing hi-visibility clothing makes you stand out on the roads more to drivers; checking the girth before you head out on a ride to ensure it does not slip and cause you to fall off; wearing well-fitted boots and a helmet will protect different parts of your body in the event of a fall. Also, if you are learning to horse ride then you must be trained by a qualified instructor.