Appeal to drivers after car ploughs into horse

By jgrant

A HORSE rider involved in a horrific crash is appealing for motorists to be more aware of riders on the roads.

Steve Haill, from Tolleshunt Major, was riding on a country road near Maldon in November 2007 when an elderly driver ploughed into the horse behind him, Clover, ridden by his friend Keith Rivers.

The impact sent both riders and horses crashing to the ground, leaving Clover with "horrendous" injuries and both men hurt.

Douglas Lambard, 84, from Chelmsford, was convicted of careless driving on February 26 by Witham magistrates, and handed a 28 day ban and £150 fine.

Both riders always wore reflective tabards, but had chosen to wear brand new full high-visibility jackets for the first time on the day of the accident, as the weather was getting colder. Ironically, as they left the yard someone shouted: "They won't miss you in those."

"Most drivers are considerate but some treat horses like they shouldn't be on the roads, even though they were there first," said Steve, 52, an electronics test manager, who still suffers with a shoulder injury sustained in the accident.

"On this occasion the driver didn't see us.

"I turned round just before the car hit Clover. It was so quick, in that moment I thought, that the car is too close, he has to stop or turn away.

"I couldn't conceive it had not seen the horse. I didn't have time to cry a warning.

"The next thing I remember is a tremendous bang. I had a vision fleetingly of a horse flying through the air towards me."

Clover, owned by Limebrook Farm Livery Yard, near Maldon, was carried on the bonnet of the car before smashing into Steve's leg, sending him and his mount Jazz, who he owns with wife Trish, to the ground.

"As soon as I had been knocked off I grabbed my horse's reins and we got up," said Steve.

"I turned around and saw Keith on the ground. Clover was running down the middle of the road only using three legs – her hind leg was just hanging and there was blood pouring from her flank."

Clover had a broken pelvis but has made a miraculous recovery, thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff at the livery yard, vets and her own placid nature.

She was tied up, unable to lie down, for two months with yard manager Clare Humberston checking on her every couple of hours, night and day.

"We did think she would be put down at the roadside due to her horrific injuries," said Clare.

"If it wasn't for Clover's superb temperament she wouldn't have made it through.

"It is important people are aware that a horse has right of way on a road just as much as a car does.

"Ninety per cent of drivers do slow down, but some drive far too fast and far too close."