General information for England & Wales, not legal or medical advice. Whether a claim is possible depends on the facts. This website provides no legal service or contact route.
Falls from horseback
Falls are the most common horse riding accident. Many are simply part of riding, but some are caused by another party’s failing — an unsuitable or unpredictable horse being provided by a school, a girth or stirrup that was faulty, or a fall triggered by a careless driver. Where a fall was avoidable and someone else was responsible, a claim may be possible.
Being kicked, bitten or trampled
Injuries can happen on the ground as well as in the saddle, particularly around yards and at events. If an owner or handler failed to control a horse known to be difficult, or a venue did not keep the public a safe distance from the animals, responsibility may rest with them.
Collisions with vehicles on the road
Road incidents involving horses are among the most serious. Drivers are expected to pass horses slowly and give them plenty of room, in line with the Highway Code. When a driver passes too closely or too fast and causes an accident, their motor insurer is usually the party a claim is directed at.
Riding school and lesson accidents
Riding schools owe a duty of care to their clients. Accidents linked to unsafe tuition, over-facing a beginner, poorly maintained arenas or equipment, or matching a rider to an unsuitable horse can give rise to a claim against the centre.
Injuries that commonly result
Because of the height and speed involved, horse riding accidents can cause serious harm. Injuries associated with these accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries, even where a riding hat was worn
- Spinal and back injuries, ranging from sprains to more serious damage
- Fractures to the arms, wrists, collarbone, ribs, legs and pelvis
- Soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash, sprains and torn ligaments
- Psychological effects, including a loss of confidence or anxiety about riding again
If an injury followed an accident that was not your fault, you can read how a claim works. If you need advice about your circumstances, choose a suitably qualified legal adviser.