Advice re horse kick

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newfy

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Hello, just looking for a bit of advice really and whether there is any course of action. I think it’s unlikely as it’s a risk you take with horses, but I just wondered what everyone else’s opinion was.

Back in November whilst out hacking with a new Horse on the yard, I was kicked in the leg whilst riding by the new Horse. The girl didn’t necessarily do anything wrong she was behind me most of the hack but then when we stopped, she came up side-by-side and that’s when the Horse kick kicked out and hit me on my shin. I had to have stitches which has left a scar but no serious damage other than that.

About a week or two later out in the paddock, my Horse bus was kicked and unfortunately suffered a fractured leg. We are currently on rehab and into 20 minutes walking a day now so fingers crossed progressing well. Whilst I can’t 100% say it was the new Horse the other mares in the field are very quiet and have been together for four years with no accidents or even rip ripped rugs/lost shoes. Within six weeks of the new Horse being in the field that is an accident and since then she has been chasing the others around so we know she is a troublemaker.

I think the outcome will just be that unfortunately it is a risk you take with horses since I can’t prove that it was her Horse that kicked mine infield however I just wanted to other peoples opinion on this. I know she isn’t to blame for her horses actions, but she has not offered any sympathy and she just ignores me on the yard since then. It’s become very awkward and uncomfortable since our Stables are next to each other.

It’s cost me over £1.2k in vets bills so far, 5 months box rest and at least an extra £400 in hay a bedding.

Not really sure what I’m looking for other than others thoughts and wanted to let out my frustration !

Thank you for reading 😊
 
Starting with the kick to your leg, that is directly the responsibility of the rider, she should not have allowed her horse to get within kicking distance. If you had any out of pocket expenses, such as lost wages, she should be making those up.

As for aggression in the field; how was the introduction handled? The new horse should have been grazed alongside the established herd until all signs of aggression had died down. Aggressive horses are usually defensive of their own personal space and unconfident within the herd, so they need to get to know the herd members before being thrown into a field with them. It can be a very long process of gradual, individual introductions. Are all the horses shod? That can be an added risk. And is the herd mixed, or all mares? Mixed herds can be problematic but mare herds can start fighting if the geldings are next door.
Tbh although accidents can happen, of course , this does make me wonder about the experience of all the humans concerned including the YO.
 
The kick to the leg probably would be covered under her 3rd party liability, but to be honest as it wasn't particularly serious then it's not something I'd pursue.
The field, no chance I'm afraid, it's kind of the risk we take as owners when we choose to turn out as a group. Of course there is a bit of risk management to be done, but I think we all play an equal part in that.
Sorry your horse got injured.
 
It's tricky as you say as there is no evidence that the new horse is the problem. Herd dynamics change as horses in a field so it may have been another one,. you don't really know :/ it can upset the balance.

Is there enough space where the new horse can graze on its own for a while, or maybe yours with a quiet other horse? It can take a long time for things to settle.
 
She's probably ignoring you because she knows you blame her horse. The kick to you out riding is just a risk of life unfortunately - was she aware her horse is likely to kick or was it out of character? I've been kicked out hacking before, it was a friends horse and I've ridden with them many times before with no issue but it was my fault for letting the horses get too close and I was grateful horse caught me and not my horse.

The field incident is bad management more than the owners fault. Group turnout can lead to injuries and it's a risk you take, and new horses should always be introduced gradually and any issues nipped in the bud. Where is YO in all of this? Was new horse just plonked in the field and allowed to terrorise the others? Are there alternative turnout arrangements available? I don't think you really have any case against the owner I'm afraid as resentful as you may be, when you agree to group turnout it does come with risks - it's very unfortunate and I can absolutely understand why you'd be so upset but a field accident is just that. If this is an ongoing issue with the new horse though I'd be pursuing YO to sort out the field management and if not then moving yards pronto once your horse is recovered enough to go back out in the field. I was on a yard once where one of the mares would guard the gate and double barrel everything as you tried to bring it in, we didn't stay long!
 
KikiDee said:
She's probably ignoring you because she knows you blame her horse. The kick to you out riding is just a risk of life unfortunately - was she aware her horse is likely to kick or was it out of character? I've been kicked out hacking before, it was a friends horse and I've ridden with them many times before with no issue but it was my fault for letting the horses get too close and I was grateful horse caught me and not my horse.

The field incident is bad management more than the owners fault. Group turnout can lead to injuries and it's a risk you take, and new horses should always be introduced gradually and any issues nipped in the bud. Where is YO in all of this? Was new horse just plonked in the field and allowed to terrorise the others? Are there alternative turnout arrangements available? I don't think you really have any case against the owner I'm afraid as resentful as you may be, when you agree to group turnout it does come with risks - it's very unfortunate and I can absolutely understand why you'd be so upset but a field accident is just that. If this is an ongoing issue with the new horse though I'd be pursuing YO to sort out the field management and if not then moving yards pronto once your horse is recovered enough to go back out in the field. I was on a yard once where one of the mares would guard the gate and double barrel everything as you tried to bring it in, we didn't stay long!
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It’s rather more than a ‘risk of life’ when an animal in the direct control of a handler causes injury to another person / property - altho whether OP wants to pursue this if she feels relatively unaffected, is up to her - and exactly why third party insurance is important. What if she’d lost the use of her leg through nerve damage? Or worse?
Although horses injuring each other whilst turned out together is a different legal situation, risks can be limited / ameliorated by management strategies, this is where a responsible landlord could be intervening. It’s probably further evidence of the value of good equine insurance, though: some pay for additional livery / rehab fees following claims for injury and veterinary treatment.
Good luck, hope your horse improves soon.
 
Exasperated said:
It’s rather more than a ‘risk of life’ when an animal in the direct control of a handler causes injury to another person / property - altho whether OP wants to pursue this if she feels relatively unaffected, is up to her - and exactly why third party insurance is important. What if she’d lost the use of her leg through nerve damage? Or worse?
Although horses injuring each other whilst turned out together is a different legal situation, risks can be limited / ameliorated by management strategies, this is where a responsible landlord could be intervening. It’s probably further evidence of the value of good equine insurance, though: some pay for additional livery / rehab fees following claims for injury and veterinary treatment.
Good luck, hope your horse improves soon.
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It is a risk that comes with horses - they can kick. A friends horse was badly injured out hacking when the horse they were riding with was badly spooked by a speeding car and crashed into hers and they both kicked out. I've been kicked completely out of character by a horse we'd ridden out with a hundred times. My own horse has bucked while cantering and nearly caught another rider that had come up our inside. We know nothing about the horse in question, if it was a habitual kicker or just a freak accident. You can mitigate the risk by only riding alone and insisting on individual turnout, that's a personal choice, but if you place horses in close proximity to each other then there is always a risk that they will kick/get kicked.

People are quick to slate individual turnout on the basis of horse welfare and yards only offering this, but this sort of situation is exactly why it is now the norm.
 
When I was learning to ride in the late 1960s, it was absolutely drummed into us that if you allowed the horse you were riding to get too close to another, someone could easily get injured. Everyone needs to stay awake and ensure the safety of all. There is no excuse for allowing ridden horses to kick each other.
 
I'd get some legal advice in relation to the kick you suffered. That does look like rider error, since she rode alongside you on an unfamiliar horse and within kicking distance.

The field one is more difficult because you don't know which horse caused the fracture. Civil claims are on the balance of probabilities, so what is more likely than not, and so it could be arguable since the herd was settled before, but it's not clear cut.

BHS Gold has a legal helpline. Otherwise there are loads of specialist equine solicitors. If you want recommendations send me a message.
 
Burnerbee said:
You’ve got stitches up your shin - that must’ve hurt considerably - and she’s ignoring you? Wowsers. I’d be constantly apologising, carrying your water buckets, offering to muck out - staggering that she thinks she can pretend you don’t exist.
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Thanks all for the responses!

At the time, honestly it didn’t hurt too much I think because of the adrenaline but the following weeks it was very painful to walk etc.

I didn’t think realistically there would be any course of action against her as it’s a risk to take with the group turnout etc. but more so, if it was my horse I would as you said, feel so guilty and be offering to do small things, she doesn’t even ask how my horse is getting on with her box rest/ rehab etc or show any sympathy to the harm her horse has caused!

I’ve told the yard plainly that once my mare goes back on turnout (fingers crossed vet approves in 2 weeks time!) that she will not ever be going back in the field with the other mare. They have agreed to this and respect my concerns.
 
It's a bit weird chasing after someone months after an accident has happened. What do you want out of it? I presume monetary compensation? Hopefully she's insured somewhere for public liability.

As far as the separate incident with your horse getting kicked I think it would be difficult as you have no proof it's that horse? I am however no lawyer
 
Pearlsasinger said:
When I was learning to ride in the late 1960s, it was absolutely drummed into us that if you allowed the horse you were riding to get too close to another, someone could easily get injured. Everyone needs to stay awake and ensure the safety of all. There is no excuse for allowing ridden horses to kick each other.
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Totally agree, this was exactly how I was taught. With regard to the turnout kick, if your horse is to have companions and IMO that is a vital part of keeping horses happy, then kicks will occur. My 2 geldings are part of a large herd (20 plus or minus a few) and yes there is a risk, but they are living the best life possible and I wouldn't want it any other way!
 
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