Plan B Forum

Horse riding is dangerous and riders cannot sue when they fall off, judge rules

A horsewoman badly injured when an Arab gelding threw her has had her compensation hopes dashed after top judges ruled riders must accept the "inherent risks" of their sport.

Nadine Turnbull, 32, may never fully recover after seven-year-old "Gem" bolted across a field and through a hedge before throwing her onto tarmac, London's Appeal Court heard.

She sued Gem's owner, Rebecca Warrener, for substantial damages - but Lord Justice Lewison today told her every equestrian has to live with unexpected danger.

Rejecting her claim, the judge said: "An individual who chooses to ride horses for pleasure no doubt derives enjoyment from being able to control a powerful beast.

"But inherent in that activity is the risk that, on occasions, the horse will not respond to its riders instructions, or will respond in a way that the rider did not intend.

"That is one of the risks inherent in riding horses. That is all that happened in the present case"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countr ... rules.html

dgs49 wrote:What is the secret to horseback riding? Although it seems quite natural to others, I can't seem to protect the family jewels and find it a singularly unpleasant experience.

And horses can be ill-tempered and vindictive.

Not sure why anyone would do this voluntarily.

And horses can be ill-tempered and vindictive.

dales wrote:You're both wrong.

(Your balls are too large)

I love to go horse back riding.

And horses can be ill-tempered and vindictive.

If they sense that a "greenhorn" is in the saddle.