General information about claims in England & Wales, not advice about your own case. This website provides no legal service or contact route.
When is a riding school liable?
A riding school owes its clients a duty to take reasonable care for their safety. Establishments that keep horses for hire or for giving lessons are also licensed under the Riding Establishments Acts, which set standards for the horses and the way the business is run. Liability usually turns on whether that duty was breached and whether the breach caused your injury. Common examples include:
- matching a beginner to a horse that was too strong or unpredictable
- over-facing a rider with a jump or pace beyond their level
- providing worn or badly fitted tack — a girth, stirrup leather or bridle that failed
- poorly maintained arenas, surfaces or fencing
- inadequate supervision or instruction for the rider’s ability
What about the Animals Act 1971?
Where an injury is caused by a horse’s behaviour rather than a person’s carelessness, a claim may also fall under the Animals Act 1971. That Act can make a keeper responsible for damage caused by an animal in certain circumstances, even without proving negligence. Both routes are often considered together, and which fits best depends on exactly how the accident happened.
What if I signed a disclaimer?
Many schools ask riders to sign a form before a lesson. A disclaimer does not automatically end a claim: under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 a business cannot exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by its own negligence. Whether any particular wording has effect depends on the facts.
How long do I have to claim?
In England & Wales the general time limit for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident, or from when you first linked your injury to it (the Limitation Act 1980). Different rules apply to children — the three years runs from their eighteenth birthday — and to people who lack mental capacity. It is sensible not to leave things to the last minute, as evidence is easier to gather early.
Getting advice
If you need advice about your circumstances, choose a suitably qualified legal adviser and check their identity, regulatory status, costs and terms. You can also read how claims work or common accidents and injuries.