How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Horse Accident Or Riding Injury?

By Stephen Hackett. Last Updated 22nd October 2021. In this guide, we will take a look at horse riding accident claims in greater length. Make no mistake, horse riding is one of the most dangerous sports that UK citizens can be involved in, whether you’re taking riding lessons or are a seasoned equestrian.

Despite the relatively low numbers of people who participate in the sport, equestrian accidents are quite common. You will find a guide to claiming personal injury compensation following a horse or riding accident on this page.

If you still have questions for us about how to claim after finishing this guide, or if you’d like to speak with someone about starting your horse riding accident claims, you can get in touch with us by calling 0800 073 8804.

Select a section:

• A guide to horse accident claims.
• What is a horse-riding accident injury?
• Can I claim if a loose horse has caused an injury?
• Can I claim if a horse has caused a car accident?
• Do I have a claim for a horse riding accident?
• What to do if you are involved in a horse-riding accident causing injury.
• How to begin a horse riding injury claim.
• Horse riding accident at work claims.
• Horse riding accident statistics.
• What can be claimed for after a horse-riding accident causing injury?
• The most common types of horse riding injuries.
• How much compensation will I get after a horse-riding accident causing injury?
• No Win No Fee horse riding injury claims.
• Why choose us as your claims service for a horse riding injury claim?
• Call for free advice and to start a claim.
• Useful Links.
• Horse riding accident claims FAQ.

A Guide to Horse Accident Claims

If you have been involved in a horse or riding accident that resulted in a personal injury anytime within the last three years, then you may be able to claim horse riding accident compensation.

Horse riding accident claims

Within this page, you will find a detailed guide to the process of claiming personal injury compensation for an injury sustained in a horse or riding accident. This equine solicitor’s free advice is valuable information. It will explain to you just what you can claim for as compensation, and how to begin making a claim.

We take a look at the most common reasons horse riding accidents occur, and the injuries they can cause. Some rule of thumb amounts for potential compensation are also given for a wide range of injuries.

Finally, we will introduce our No Win No Fee horse riding injury claims service. We’ll also explain how we can begin to help you claim the compensation you are entitled to, without having to spend a penny upfront.

If you’d like more information on horse riding accident claims after reading our guide, our team are on hand to answer any question you might have.

What Is a Horse Riding Accident Injury?

For people involved in the sport of horse riding, a horse riding injury is something that most will suffer at one time or another, and in some extreme cases following horse accidents, fatal results are the outcome. There are many ways that a horseback riding injury can be caused, and below are the most common:

• An injury caused by the horse itself, for example, a bite or a kick, or the horse throwing its rider.
• Being injured at work, whilst performing an equine-related job role such as a groom, instructor, or working in a livery yard.
• Injuries caused by unsafe or badly maintained horse riding equipment such as a saddle, the reins, or girth.
• Any injuries that are the result of a horse and rider being involved in a road traffic accident.
• Horse riders are being given an unsuitable horse to their riding skill level, or an unpredictable horse, which leads to them being thrown whilst riding.
• Suffering an injury due to an instructor’s bad advice or negligence or other person working in a supervisory capacity.
• Injuries caused by a fall from a horse due to riding on an unsuitable surface.
• Competitive horse events, that result in a rider taking a spill and sustaining an injury.

These are the most common ways that horse riders and people working with horses sustain an injury.

To find out more about horse riding accident claims and the accidents that can lead to them, please read on.

How dangerous is horseback riding?

Horse riding accidents can cause serious injury due to the height that riders fall if thrown from their horse. Although it’s hard to quantify the risk exactly, horse riding injuries can include broken bones, paralysis or even death. 

Can I Claim If a Loose Horse Has Caused an Injury?

Yes, if a horse has broken loose, and has either injured a person itself or has been the cause of an accident resulting in an injury, then it should be possible to pursue damages against either the owner of the horse or the stable that is responsible for its care.

Can I Claim If a Horse Has Caused a Car Accident?

Yes, a horse is a road user just as a car, bicycle or motorcycle is. Therefore, it is bound by road traffic laws (with a few slight differences) that apply to all road users.

If a horse is the cause of a road traffic accident, then the process for claiming against the rider is the same as if the rider were actually driving a car or other motorised vehicle.

However, extenuating circumstances may contribute to the horse causing an accident, such as it being spooked by an additional third-party. Therefore, the process of claiming compensation might be a little less clear cut than, for example, claiming against a car driver who can be proven to be wholly at fault for causing the accident.

For more information on horse riding accident claims and when a claim can be made, please read on to our next section.

Do I Have a Claim for a Horse Riding Accident?

In order for you to be able to pursue a case for personal injury compensation due to a horse riding injury, then certain situations regarding the accident that caused the injury must be true:

• The accident must have been the fault of a third-party. If you were the sole cause of the accident, you would not be able to claim compensation.
• Can you prove that the accident was the fault of a third-party? Even if it was, if you can’t prove it, then it is unlikely you will be able to claim compensation successfully.
• Did the accident happen within the last three years? Generally, horse riding accident claims will not be entertained for injuries that were sustained longer than three years previously.

If your own situation fits within these restrictions, then you should contact us to find out how we can help you claim compensation for the horse riding injury you have sustained.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Horse Riding Accident Causing Injury

If you are involved in a horse riding accident, especially if it had serious consequences such as a horse riding accident death, then you must do everything you can to ensure you have the best chance possible of successfully claiming compensation. Some of the things you can do towards this goal are:

• Take plenty of photos – of the accident itself and anything that contributed to the accident such as badly obstructed road signs, or uneven surfaces.
• Get the details of everyone involved – this means every party that was affected by the accident, whether they caused it or not. It also means any witnesses to the accident that may be able to support your compensation claim if it comes to a court decision.
• Document losses – both financial and extraordinary. These losses will be claimed as part of the special damages attached to the claim.

By following simple advice like the items listed above, you will have a much better chance of winning your claim for compensation following a horse or riding accident.

If you have questions about the horse riding accident claims process, then our next section will be of help to you so please read on.

How to Begin a Horse Riding Injury Claim

Even though horse riding claims are not one of the most common reasons people seek personal injury compensation, the process of starting horse riding injury claims is fairly straightforward.

In fact, all you need to do to start your claim is get in touch with us. Once you do, we will arrange to have a fact-finding session with you, so that we can come to understand the circumstances of your claim more fully. Once we have, we will make a recommendation on what to do next.

For most people, we will advise them to take advantage of our No Win No Fee horse riding accident claims service, so that they can begin claiming compensation for their injury with no initial monetary outlay.

Horse Riding Accident at Work Claims

If you work in a stable, livery, or at a horse racing track. Or even if you are exposed to the risk of a horse riding accident through your work, for example, you are a contractor fixing fences at a stable or work at a riding school, then if you are injured in a horse riding accident, you will be able to claim compensation.

When it comes to horse riding accident claims for work-related injuries, if the company that is responsible for the horse that was involved in or the cause of the accident was at fault, due to negligence or failure to comply with Health & Safety legislation, then you will have a viable route to a compensation claim.

Horse Riding Accident Statistics

If we take a look at horse riding accident statistics from the British Horse Society, we find that from 2015-16 there were 4,094 incidents that required hospital treatment involving “animal-rider or occupant animal-drawn vehicles”.

4,229 road traffic accidents involving horses riding on the road have been reported in England and Wales since 2010. The graph below shows the casualties that resulted from these accidents. Data suggests that 73% of these accidents were caused by a vehicle passing a horse too closely, or travelling past at too high a speed. 

Horse riding accident claims

You may be wondering what kinds of damages can be included in horse riding accident claims. If so, you’ll find it helpful to continue reading as our next section has all the information you need. 

What Can Be Claimed for after a Horse Riding Accident Causing Injury?

In order to calculate horse riding injury compensation, several different types of damages can be claimed, for a range of reasons, the most common being:

• General damages – these are all the physical aspects of the injury, such as pain and suffering. General damages also include long-term health effects, psychological trauma and discomfort of loss of function during recovery.
• Special damages – the non-physical aspects of the injury such as financial costs and losses, and long-term effects upon future income.
• Medical costs – to cover the initial medical treatment and therapy during recuperation.
• Travel costs – for any out of pocket travel expenses incurred due to the injury or the compensation claim.
• Care costs – either care in the home or institutionalised care costs can be recovered.
• Funeral expenses – in the event of a fatal horse riding accident, funeral expenses may be claimable.

These are the main types of damages you might claim following a horse or riding accident. Contact us to find out which applies in your case. To learn more about horse riding accident claims, please continue reading.

The Most Common Types of Horse Riding Injuries

Although a horse riding accident can result in a wide range of injuries, we have compiled a list of the most common horse riding injury types. Below are the most common types of injuries horse riding accidents UK citizens falling foul of tend to suffer from, which could establish grounds for horse riding accident claims:

Leg, ankle and foot injuries are prevalent as a result of a horse-riding accident, including; Achilles Tendon Rupture, Achilles Tendonitis, Bursitis Knee, Calf Muscle Tear, Groin Strain, Hamstring Strain, Heel Spur, High Ankle Sprain, Hip Arthritis, Hip Labral Tear, Knee Arthritis, Knee Ligament Injuries, Poor Hip Core, Posterior Ankle Impingement, Sprained Ankle and Thigh Strain.

Other injuries

Back injuries are also something that victims of a horse riding accident can suffer from, including Back Muscle Pain, Bulging Disc, Degenerative Disc Disease, Pinched Nerves and Sciatica.

When falling from a horse, a range of arm, shoulder and hand injuries can occur, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chondromalacia Patella, Dislocated Shoulder, Golfers Elbow, Patella Tendonitis (Tendinopathy), Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Impingement, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow and Thumb Sprain. Any of these might result in you filing horse riding accident claims.

There’s also the risk of a crush by a horse that falls over. This could result in broken bones and injury to the internal organs. Head injuries are also a possibility, especially if a horse throws you off and you hit your head in the fall. Wearing proper safety equipment like a riding hat can help reduce this risk.

Examples

Neck injuries are also a likely injury that people falling from a horse will suffer from, and these include Neck Arm Pain, Neck Headache, Neck Sprain, Whiplash and Wry Neck. Additionally, a range of general medical conditions and injuries could happen via a horse riding accident, including:

• AC Joint Injury
• ACL Injury
• Adductor Tendinopathy
• Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head
• Cramps, DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
• Facet Joint Pain, Fat Pad Syndrome
• Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
• ITB Syndrome
• Lateral Collateral Ligament
• Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain
• Meniscus Tear
• Metatarsalgia
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Muscle Strain
• Overuse Injuries
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Plica Syndrome
• Sacroiliac Joint Pain
• Severs Disease
• Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome
• Spondylolisthesis
• Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy and Trochanteric Bursitis.

If you have suffered a personal injury due to a horse riding accident, we can arrange for a free local medical examination, to quantify your actual injuries to assist with your compensation claim. Use the contact details at the bottom of this page to reach us, and we can arrange this for you straight away.

If you have any more questions about what injuries can be grounds for horse riding accident claims, or don’t see your injury on the list above and would like to know if you can still claim, then get in touch with us for more information.

How Much Compensation Will I Get after a Horse Riding Accident Causing Injury?

Predicting exactly how much a person can claim in compensation due to an injury caused by a horse or riding accident is impossible without knowing all the case’s specifics. However, the figures below can be used as a yardstick to judge how much can be paid out for horse riding accident claims:

The above figures only pertain to general damages and do not include special damages. Contact us to find out how much extra you could claim in special damages on top of these amounts.

No Win No Fee Horse Riding Injury Claims

If you have been involved in a horse or riding accident in the last three years, that resulted in a personal injury, you may be able to claim compensation. However, if you choose to manage the claim yourself, it could be costly.

We offer representation on a No Win No Fee basis for horse riding accident claims, which provides a way for you to claim horse riding accident compensation without paying anything unless your claim is successful.

Only once we have our own compensation on your behalf, will we ask you to pay a fee. And if we don’t win you a compensation payout, then you don’t pay us a thing. Call us today to begin your No Win No Fee horse riding claim.

Why Choose Us as Your Claims Service for a Horse Riding Injury Claim?

As a major compensation claims service provider, we have the knowledge and experience to ensure that you have the best chance of receiving the highest compensation payout possible.

We do everything we legally can to ensure that you win your personal injury claim, and will always act in your best interests at all times. We pride ourselves on the fact we build close relationships with our customers and keep them updated on the status of their claim at all times, using plain English, not legal jargon.

So, for a helpful and friendly claims service with knowledge of horse riding accident claims, get in touch with us today.

Call for Free Advice and to Start a Claim

Have you suffered a personal injury due to a horse riding accident in the last three years? Do you believe that you may have a valid reason to claim compensation?

If the answer is yes to both of these questions, please contact us on 0800 073 8804 and arrange a free legal session to talk about your possible claim. We will tell you if we think you have a good reason to make a compensation claim and if we think you could successfully claim damages against the party that caused the accident.

If you would rather not call us on the telephone, you can use the chat feature available on this page or send us an email. We can contact you back to discuss horse riding accident claims and get the ball rolling on your claim.

Useful Links

Government Riding Establishments Act 1964

The official Government published a website that details the Riding Establishments Act 1964 in full.

HSE Health and safety with horses

A resource published by the Health & Safety Executive that provides top-level H&S guidelines for working with horses. The page links out to more detailed information provided by H&SE.

Horse Rider Safety

A page by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advises horse riders for training and safety equipment considerations.

Think! Horses Pass horses wide and slow

A UK Government resource gives information for horse riders and road users encountering a horse on the road.

NI Direct Horse safety on the road

A further UK Government resource gives in-depth road safety information and advice for both horse riders and other road users.

ROSPA Horse Riders Advice And Information

A downloadable PDF published by RoSPA that gives very detailed safety advice and information for horse riders who use public roads.

Tractor Accident Claims

See if you could be owed compensation.

Click here to read our guide to whiplash accident claims or head here to check out our guide to head injury claims. 

Horse riding accident claims FAQ

Can you sue for falling off a horse?

In short, you could have grounds to make a claim if a negligent third party causes the accident.

What injuries can you get from horse riding?

Some various injuries and traumas can be the direct cause of a horse-riding accident. For instance, if you are involved in a horse-riding accident, you could suffer:

• Sprains.
• Strains.
• Fractures.
• Head traumas.
• Elbow injuries.
• Back injuries.
• Neck injuries.

What happens if a family member dies after a horse riding accident?

In severe cases, a horse-riding accident could result in death. It’s possible to pursue a claim on the deceased’s behalf.

How are injury claims calculated?

Compensation for personal injury claims is calculated using the extent of the claimant’s suffering. Typically, this comes from a medical evaluation with an independent expert, identifying the exact impact of the accident.

What is fair compensation for pain and suffering?

As personal injury claims focus on the extent of the claimant’s suffering, every payout is different. To get an accurate estimate of how much you could be entitled to, please get in touch for a free consultation today.

Can I make a personal injury claim myself?

Technically, you could make a personal injury claim yourself. However, lawyers can increase claims’ chances of success and maximise the payout.

How can a No Win No Fee agreement help me?

No Win No Fee agreements allow claimants to make legal proceedings without paying out of pocket for solicitors’ fees. That’s because there are no upfront costs and you only pay if they win compensation for you. This ‘success fee’ also has a legal cap, so you don’t lose out for your successful horse riding accident claims.

Where can I find a No Win No Fee solicitor?

A personal injury solicitor from our panel will always offer to work on a No Win No Fee basis. Therefore, you don’t have to look any further in your search for a specialist solicitor.

Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on horse riding accident claims.