Case Study

Equine or Horse Injury

Case Description

We represented a 25-year-old man (Joe) who was seriously injured by a runaway Welsh horse at a horse owner’s property in Magnolia, Texas. Our client was at the property with his wife, who was providing therapy services to one of the owner’s horses. Joe had very little experience riding or working with horses. Joe expressed interest in the Welsh horse that was for sale, and was invited to ride the horse. The horse owner’s young daughter saddled the horse with, as it was later discovered, a child-sized saddle. Joe started the horse at a slow trot and the horse started to buck. The horse began to gallop and attempted to buck Joe from the horse. Joe fell off the horse but one of his feet remained caught in the stirrup. Joe fell to the ground and was dragged approximately 60 feet. The horse kicked Joe in the face and knocked him free from the stirrup. Joe sustained serious injuries to his face. He was hospitalized for 3 days and underwent extensive surgery for the placement of plates and screws in his face and head. Joe incurred large medical bills and had lost wages and was left with scarring and disfigurement to his face. Fortunately, we were able to settle Joe’s case for the limits of the horse owner’s farm and ranch policy.