Horse riding injuries claims

Horse riding is a highly popular and enjoyable activity for many people. It combines a love of horses with fresh air and exercise and gives a great deal of pleasure.

Many people ride or work with horses and enjoy doing so but it is not without its risks.

Whilst many riders accept that they will fall off or sustain an injury which is due to their own actions; but there are situations in which something goes wrong which is due to negligence on the part of another person or organisation.

Accidents can occur in a riding school, on an organised ride e.g. pony trekking, within a stables or at a competition, e.g. show jumping event.

Owners of stables or organisers of events have a responsibility to minimise the risk of a horse related accident. This means putting safeguards in place to ensure that people can participate in horse related activities safely and enjoyably.

But if you sustain an injury whilst working with or riding a horse then you may be able to claim compensation. As long as the accident was not your fault and occurred due to the negligence of someone else then consider doing so.

Types of horse riding accidents

These include:

• Accidents whilst working with horses
• Accidents on the road
• Accidents at events

Accidents whilst working with horses

This applies to anyone who works in stables, stud farm, riding school or a pony trekking centre. It also includes livery yards and racing stables.

If you are employed in any of these places then your employer has a duty of care to you and any other employee. This includes ensuring that you can carry out your duties in safety and with minimal risk.

If this breaks down and you become injured during work then consider pursuing a claim for compensation.

Accidents on the roads

This includes anyone who is riding their horse on the public highways or is leading a horse or horses on the roads. If this applies to you then be aware that you have to comply with the Highway Code in regard to other road users and horses.

However, these road users have a responsibility to ensure that they drive carefully and with care when they approach a horse rider. If they don’t and you are injured as a result of their carelessness then you may be able to claim compensation.

Accidents at events

This refers to show jumping competitions, 3 day eventing etc. Whilst there is a degree of risk in undertaking this activity if you are injured due to an act of carelessness on the part of the event organiser then you may be entitled to compensation.

Impact of a horse riding injury

A horse riding injury is bad news for you but can be even worse for your family. This is even more so it is resulted in a permanent disability such as paralysis which will require ongoing care.

If this has happened to you then you are faced with the knowledge that your life has changed forever. You may require special equipment, treatment and care which has to be paid for and can be expensive.

If you ride horses for a living or have a career as a showjumper then a serious injury can bring that to a premature end. That is not only distressing but can cause financial hardship as well which increases the stress and anxiety.

But compensation can help. It will not undo what has happened to you but it deal with the practical side of your injury namely that of everyday costs. It can pay for rehabilitation, specialist aids, nursing care and any other additional expenses.

Making a claim for compensation for a horse riding injury

Find a personal injury law firm or solicitor who has experience in these types of compensation claims. Ideally, he or she will have expertise in the equestrian field or will have spent many years dealing with claims for horse riding accidents.

He or she will have knowledge of the field as well as an understanding of the issues involved. This means that he/she will handle your claim with tact, sensitivity and understanding.

They will look at the circumstances surrounding your case and will conduct an initial assessment. This will enable them to determine if there is proof of negligence which has caused your injury.

The claims process is discussed in more detail in our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for a horse riding injury

Anyone making a claim for a personal injury has to do so within 3 years from the date of the original accident.

We would advise you to do so but consult further with your personal injury lawyer or solicitor. He or she will be able to inform you of the deadline for a compensation claim.