Horse Riding Accident Claims
Horse riding is a popular activity in the UK but is not without risks. Accidents while riding or being near horses are common. They can cause minor to life threatening injuries.
If you have been in a horse riding accident, our equine law specialists and personal injury team can help. We can work with you to establish who was at fault and ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Call our Equine Law Team Email our Equine Law TeamOn this page:
Common injuries caused by horse riding accidents?
I have been injured by a horse – can I make a claim?
How much compensation can I claim?
How long do I have to make a claim?
How long do horse riding accident claims take?
Can I make a “no win no fee” claim?
Why use Rothera Bray for horse riding accident and injury claims
What can I make a claim for?
You can make a claim if you have been injured whilst working with or training horses. This could be;
- During a riding lesson
- A road traffic accident
- Injuries sustained during a competitive event
- Injuries to spectators at an event
- Accidents or injuries caused by ill-fitting or defective equipment
- If you were injured by a horse and carriage
Common injuries caused by horse riding accidents
Horse riding accidents can cause a range of injuries. From minor injuries to serious injuries and even death.
The most common injuries we see include;
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Spinal injuries
- Head and brain injuries
For some, horse riding accidents and the injuries they cause are part of owning and riding horses. Whether you were riding a horse or not, if you have suffered injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could have a claim.
I have been injured by a horse – can I make a claim?
You may be able to claim against the owner of the horse if it was behaving dangerously. However, you will need to satisfy the conditions of the Animals Act 1971.You will need to prove that:
- The horse displayed characteristics not usually found in horses, and
- The owner or keeper of the horse was aware of these characteristics
How much compensation could I claim?
All horse-riding accidents are different, and the injuries and outcomes are wide-ranging. As such, we’re unable to say how much your claim could be worth.
To calculate your claim, we’ll consider every aspect, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- How much pain and suffering you have gone through
- How they have affected/will affect your life
- Any loss of earnings, including wages, commissions, bonuses, pension contributions etc
- The cost of any medical bills, treatment and support
- Psychological support
- Out of pocket expenses
- Costs to adapt your home
- Veterinary costs if your horse is injured
- Damaged riding and personal equipment
How long do I have to make a claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to make a claim.
That said, there are two exceptions:
- Child claims: If you’re making a claim on behalf of a child you can make a claim any time before they turn 18. Once they are 18, they can make their own claim until they turn 21.
- Mental capacity: If you’re claiming on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity, there are no time limits.
How long do horse riding accident claims take?
The amount of time it takes to settle a claim depends on the severity and complexity of your case.
If your injuries are minor and the other side accepts liability, your case might take a matter of months.
However, if you have suffered life changing injuries or the other side refuses to accept liability, it could take years.
Where we can, we will also seek to claim early compensation payments. These will help to cover the costs of specialist treatment and any other financial obligations.
Can I make a “no win, no fee” claim?
We handle most personal injury claims on a no win, no fee basis.
This means:
- You don’t have to pay anything to start a claim, and
- You’ll have nothing to pay if your claim isn’t successful
You’ll only have anything to pay if your claim is successful. Even then, the other side will pay most of the legal costs.
Why use Rothera Bray for horse riding accident and injury claims
We can advise you on:
- Injuries sustained by a horse behaving dangerously due to a trait you were not aware of
- Injuries whilst riding a horse, caused by someone else’s wrongdoing
- Road traffic accidents involving horses
- Injuries to children, for example at a riding school
- Injuries caused by a horse you have purchased where the previous owner did not warn you about dangerous behaviour
- Injuries sustained while attending equestrian events
- Injuries from being crushed, kicked or bitten by a horse
- Injuries caused by an employer/working in the equine industry
Rothera Bray LLP are Official Legal Partners to British Dressage and The British Show Pony Society

Send us a message
‘If you’ve had a horse riding accident, our equine solicitors will work with our personal injury department to assess and progress a “no-win, no fee” claim for your injuries’
Caroline Bowler
Equine Partner


Nottingham attacks survivors’ solicitor responds to unlawful access of victims’ medical records
Greg Almond, our Serious Personal Injury Partner, represents two of the surviving victims of the Nottingham attacks Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller. He has issued a statement in response to the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust confirming that 11 staff members have been dismissed for unlawfully accessing the medical records of the Nottingham Attack’s victims.

Corporate team advises on rescue deal saving 39 jobs at Lincolnshire plant nursery
Our Corporate team has advised on the successful rescue of a Lincolnshire plant nursery business, safeguarding 39 jobs after it was acquired out of administration.

A guide to brain injury claims
A brain injury can change a life in an instant. Whatever the cause, the impact can be complex, long‑lasting and deeply personal.

What to do if you’re being made redundant: employee FAQs
Facing redundancy is stressful, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain or anxious about what happens next.
stars
Posted 27 May 2026
We as an organisation have used Rothera Bray on numerous other occasions when we have sold houses in our portfolio. Both Sarrina and Julekha are very easy to work with and have an abundance of knowledge in the legal conveyancing framework. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Matt
stars
Posted 27 May 2026
I cannot thank Seetal and Rothera Bray Solicitors enough for all the hard work and support they have given me over the last 4 years with my accident at work claim. They have been extremely thorough, professional, and supportive throughout the entire process. Every step was clearly explained to me, and I always felt like they genuinely cared about getting the best outcome possible. Their attention to detail and dedication gave me a lot of confidence during a very difficult time. Thank you again for everything you have done for me.
Luke Shiels
stars
Posted 22 May 2026
Sara has been very helpful during the whole process, both my mother and I would recommend her highly.
Alison Marlow
stars
Posted 22 May 2026
I used Rebecca's services via Rothera Bray Solicitors to deal with the financial side to a divorce. I had an initial face to face appointment to talk through everything with Rebecca and this made me feel at ease and felt that Rebecca was the right person to help me. Rebecca has kept me highly informed at all stages throughout and has also given lots of great advice and has helped me a lot with getting things sorted. I am really happy with the service that I received and Rebecca was so friendly, kind, understanding and very helpful. I would 100% recommend to anyone who is requiring the help during a divorce.
Leila
stars
Posted 22 May 2026
Rothera Bray have been excellent in helping me resolve a difficult and expensive divorce, I found them extremely efficient - communication was excellent at all points and generally they were there when I needed them, they all took a personal interest in my case and we arrived at a reasonable resolution thanks to their efforts Specially thanks to Rebecca Emeleus and Rebecca Hudson for their great work, Highly recommended in what are always going to be difficult situation! They are people that you can rely on - which is very important in divorce actions particularly.
Stuart Randall
stars
Posted 21 May 2026
Both Ellie and Grace were very helpful and kept us up to date with the progress of our house purchase.
Christine
stars
Posted 21 May 2026
Sophie is kind and understanding. She explained everything and I felt I was in very capable hands. I would highly recommend Sophie.
Philippa Stephenson
stars
Posted 20 May 2026
We recently wished to effect a Declaration of Trust and changes to our tax positions with HMRC. It turned out to be relatively straightforward. However, in large part this was probably due to Ed Granger who dealt with the matter for us. He was highly attentive, full and clear in his explanations and checked our inputs thoroughly at every stage. Highly diligent, very pleasant and quick to respond. Thank you Ed.
Anonymous
stars
Posted 18 May 2026
Excellent service and advice from Lauren Kilbride at Rothera Bray Solicitors. Her advice was comprehensive, timely and professionally given. It made my decision making easy and the advice was delivered in language easy to understand. I would have no hesitation in seeking her services again should I require them.
Debra Mitchell
stars
Posted 18 May 2026
Since 2017 Carol Freeman and her assistant Gail Garner have dealt with the selling and buying of a number of properties for me for personal and bereavement reasons. They have been excellent and I can’t praise them enough. Thoroughly professional, reassuring and patient. I have complete trust in them.
Molly King
stars
Posted 17 May 2026
Julekha was a breath of fresh air as a conveyancing solicitor, she always had time for my many questions, was super efficient and constantly kept us up to date. Her time scale was excellent, although we could only go as fast as everyone else in the chain. Her Paralegal Sarrina Mills was also a real pleasure to deal with. Over all I would definitely recommend using them. Thank you
Lisa Loake
stars
Posted 16 May 2026
Excellent service, I would recommend them, Julekha and Sarrina were extremely helpful.
Vaughan Curzon