Horseback Riding Safety Experts Evaluate Brain Injury in New Rider

I have served as a consultant and expert witness in two previous cases involving equestrian accidents and instruction. I have taught riding for 50 years from beginners to advanced level, have given riding instructor certification and safety clinics and seminars, have been a speaker for many equestrian symposiums on safety and horsemanship, and have written and consulted extensively on teaching riding, equestrian safety and horsemanship. I have also taught and directed a nationally accredited school for riding instructors, and I have been instrumental in developing standards for equestrian safety and instruction for three national equestrian organizations. This accident sounds as if normal safety precautions for a guided trail ride with young riders may not have been followed. I am particularly concerned that the plaintiffs foot became caught in the stirrup, causing him to be dragged by the horse. This points to unsafe footwear and/or inappropriate stirrups for a young rider. Generally speaking, riders must wear proper footwear for riding and use safe and appropriately sized stirrups for the activity, or falls and serious injuries, including fatal dragging accidents, may result. The leader on a trail ride, especially a ride with younger riders, should be a competent, experienced and well qualified instructor/trail guide, definitely not an inexperienced rider or trail guide.