If a horse riding injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Horse riding is an exhilarating activity, offering freedom and connection with nature. However, riding also carries risks, with accidents sometimes leading to serious injuries. If your accident was caused by the negligence of a trainer, riding instructor, manufacturer or road user, you can claim compensation.
If you’ve been injured in a horse riding accident that wasn’t your fault, compensation will cover your medical expenses, lost income, and rehabilitation costs.
You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist injury solicitor.
Essential points when claiming for a horse riding injury
- Riding accidents can happen due to poor instruction or supervision, poorly maintained riding areas or faulty equipment.
- You can claim compensation for a horse riding injury if the accident was caused by the negligence of a trainer, stable owner or employer.
- You can claim if your injuries were caused by a horse with known behavioural issues.
- You can also claim if you were hurt in a riding accident on the road caused by the actions of another road user, even if there wasn't a collision.
- You have 3 years from the date of your accident to begin your claim.
- You can start a claim with no win, no fee.
- Your compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. You can find out how much you can claim with our compensation calculator.
- Compensation will also reflect the impact of your injury on your daily life, hobbies and ability to work.
With approximately 4,500 horse riding injuries each year, you are not alone
Three million people a year ride horses in the UK, for sport, leisure and for work.
In the UK, there are approximately 4,500 horse riding injuries each year (bmj.com).
Unfortunately, it is often underestimated how dangerous horse riding can be. Experienced riders will know that however careful you are that injuries are an inevitable consequence of horse riding and that at some point during your time in the saddle you could suffer an injury.
If that injury has been caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.
If you decide to make a horse riding injury claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.
How much compensation can I claim for a horse riding injury?
Compensation for a horse riding injury is based on:
- how serious the injury is,
- the disruption caused by your injury to your daily life and work,
- any direct financial losses or expenses resulting from your injury.
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Updated December 2024
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General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying compensation for lost earnings, bonuses and overtime, damage to clothing and equipment, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as diagnostic imaging tests, physiotherapy and pain management.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average horse riding injury general damages compensation table
The following horse riding injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Arm injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm fracture(s) | Simple fracture to one or both forearms; | £7,330 to £21,300 |
| Less severe | Less severe injury to one or both arms, with onoing disability but good prospects for recovery | £21,300 to £43,460 |
Chest injuries
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rib fracture or soft tissue injury | Serious pain and/or disability for several weeks | Up to £4,380 |
| Chest injury (no damage to lung) | A chest injury with no significant, permanent lung damage (e.g. a penetrating chest wound) | £13,970 to £19,930 |
| Damage to chest or lung | Some ongoing disability | £34,740 to £60,840 |
Facial injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple fractures | Multiple fractures of facial bones, with some facial deformity | £16,530 to £26,560 |
| Skeletal injuries | Le Fort fractures of frontal facial bones | £26,420 to £40,760 |
Head & brain injuries
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Minimal brain damage with headaches and/or ongoing symptoms | £2,450 to £14,160 |
| Moderate - level 1 | Good recovery, but with ongoing symptoms (e.g. poor concentration and memory) | £17,000 to £47,770 |
| Moderate - level 2 | Your ability to work is reduced, and ongoing symptoms include poor concentration and memory, and a risk of epilepsy | £47,770 to £100,650 |
| Moderate - level 3 | Your ability to work is greatly reduced, and you have ongoing care needs | £100,650 to £166,540 |
| Moderate - level 4 | Ongoing symptoms include a moderate to severe intellectual deficit, personality change, damage to sight, speech and/or senses, and a risk of epilepsy | £166,540 to £243,040 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple tibia or fibula fracture | Simple fracture with full recovery | Up to £13,140 |
| Simple femur fracture | Simple femur fracture with no damage to articular surfaces | £10,110 to £15,620 |
| More serious fractures | Incomplete fracture recovery with ongoing symptoms | £19,930 to £30,800 |
Neck injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Soft tissue injury | £2,720 to £8,750 |
| Moderate | Fracture or dislocation injuries, or worsening of existing conditions, including wrenching, disc lesions and cervical spondylosis | £27,730 to £42,700 |
| Serious | Severe fractures, dislocation, soft tissue damage, ruptured tendons, and/or chronic disability | £50,450 to £62,120 |
Pelvis and hip injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Injury with no residual disability and complete recovery in under 2 years | £4,380 to £13,970 |
| Moderate | Ongoing symptoms but no major disability | £13,970 to £43,460 |
| Serious | Including fracture of acetabulum and injuries with a risk of future hip replacement surgery or leg instability | £43,460 to £58,250 |
Shoulder injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tissue injury | Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 1 year, causing considerable pain | £2,720 to £8,750 |
| Clavicle fracture | Injuries causing some pain and disability, e.g. a displaced, fractured clavicle | £5,710 to £13,580 |
| Moderate | Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 2 years, and/or limited shoulder movement or frozen shoulder | £8,750 to £14,160 |
Can I claim compensation for a psychological injury?
If you have experienced psychological issues in addition to physical symptoms, you are not alone.
Our 2024 Public Place Injury Claimant Survey reveals the extent of psychological trauma, with 29.03% of claims involving a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.
Injuries from horse riding often lead to a phobia of horses (hippophobia), anxiety about engaging in similar activities in the future, and PTSD.
Your solicitor will help ensure that any psychological harm you have suffered as the result of another party's negligence is recognised and included in the calculation of your compensation award or settlement. In addition, you can also claim for mental health treatment costs that may not be readily available on the NHS.
Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.
Do I qualify for horse riding injury compensation?
You can start a compensation claim for a horse riding injury, if:
- you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
- another person was to blame, and;
- that person owed a duty of care to prevent foreseeable hazards.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
Attributing blame for an accident isn't always clear-cut.
In our 2024 Public Liability Injury Claimant Survey, we found that 17.45% of respondents felt they had at least some responsibility for the injuries they sustained.
Even if you partly caused the accident or your injuries (refered to as 'contributory negligence'), you may still be entitled to make a claim. These claims can often be settled on the basis of a split liability agreement.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How long do I have to claim horse riding injury compensation?
For most injury claims, you have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start the claims process.
The 3 year limitation period does not apply to minors (under 18s). A parent, guardian or litigation friend can start a claim on a child's behalf up to their 18th birthday and the child has until their 21st birthday to claim for themselves.
Horse riding injury compensation claims advice
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a horse riding injury as a result of an accident you should always seek medical advice whether from your GP, walk in centre or accident and emergency department. Your recovery is paramount and seeking early advice can help both diagnose and treat any problem. You should also try to do as many of the following as possible:
- obtain details of any witnesses who saw the accident. A name and phone number will do.
- report the matter to an relevant party to make sure a report of the accident is completed.
- take photos of the aftermath especially if these will show how the accident happened
- take photos of your injuries, if they are visible.
Horse riding accidents on the road - Claiming compensation
The British Horse Society estimates that there are around 3,000 road traffic accidents involving horses in the UK each year. Such accidents injure riders, horses and drivers, in addition to vehicle damage.
Most horse riding accidents on the roads occur in the countryside, on minor roads or at junctions, where drivers have failed to notice or leave enough room for a horse and its rider.
Accidents can also occur because a horse reacted unpredictably to a horn beep or the rider failed to wear high-visibility clothing.
If you have been injured while riding a horse, due to the negligence of a road user or other party, you should be able to claim compensation.
What are the responsibilities of motorists and horse riders?
Motorists and horse riders are responsible for each other's safety. This responsibility comes under the common law duty of care' which dictates that all people using the highway do what is reasonably expected to avoid causing harm to other road users.
If a road traffic accident between a motorist and a horse rider does occur, which results in personal injury, either or both parties could be held negligible. Apportioning negligence will depend on whether one or both parties were at fault.
The Courts will consider: "Were the parties' actions directly to blame for the accident? Could the accident have been avoided if due care was taken?
What are the rules for motorists?
Drivers are required to adhere to the general rules of road use, as set out in sections 159 to 161 of the Highway Code. They are required to:
- Check mirrors, blind spots and signal correctly at all times (159, 161)
- Keep to the left (unless markings say differently) (160)
- Drive with both handles on the wheel where possible (160)
- Be aware of other road users (including horse riders), and give them plenty of room (160)
In addition to this, the British Horse Society also gives clear guidance to motorists on how to act when horses are on the road. This includes:
- Leaving plenty of room between the vehicle and the horse
- Not revving the engine or beeping the horn
- Slowing down and waiting until it is possible to pass widely and slowly
What are the rules for horse riders?
Horse riders have a right to use the road. Often it is their only means of accessing bridleways or other off-road amenities.
Sections 49 to 55 of the Highway Code give specific advice to horse riders using the roads. This includes wearing the correct safety equipment, including helmet, hard sole shoes and fluorescent or reflective clothing (with bands for the horse).
They are also required to:
- Ensure all tack fits correctly and they can control the horse (52)
- Look behind and give a clear arm signal before turning or riding off (53)
- Keep to the left (53) Move in the direction of the traffic flow in a one way street (53)
- Never ride more than two abreast (53)
- Keep both hands on the reigns unless signalling and both feet in the stirrups (53)
- Avoid roundabouts where possible. If using, stay to the left and watch for vehicles. Signal correctly to exit.
How will a claim help me?
You should choose a solicitor who has a solid understanding of the law and horse riding injury claims and how this affects your claim. One who knows what evidence is needed and how to get it. Your solicitor will have many years of experience of just these types of claim. We have detailed knowledge of the regulations involved and how employers and companies should adhere to them.
How Quittance's panel of solicitors differ:
- Smaller caseloads - greater chance of success - The solicitors handle smaller caseloads than many firms meaning we spend more time on your individual case. The more time we spend on a case, the greater the chance of success.
- Specialists, not generalists - Here at Quittance, we live and breathe Personal Injury work. We do not take on any other type of legal work meaning we are specialised an fully focussed on your case.
- We empathise - Because Personal Injury is all we do, we understand things from your perspective as a claimant and show a caring and are always highly considerate in our approach to you and your case.
- Communication - Help is always at hand and a regular update is provided every 28 days so you are fully in the picture at each stage of your case. Of course if anything happens in the interim we will contact you and you can contact us at any stage.
- Clarity - Making a claim can be a confusing process. Your solicitors will explain the process for your claim at each and every step of your case in a clear and jargon free manner.
What led to your horse riding injury?
The process for a horse riding injury claim depends the circumstances of the accident. to learn more, click the icons below:
Can I make a no win, no fee horse riding injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim horse riding injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to an injury specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
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or arrange a callbackSources
Serious injury risk higher for horse riding than for football, motor racing, or skiing | BMJ (reviewed: 29/07/2024)
Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher
About the author
Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.