Rider trampled after dog spooks horse

A rider was left with three broken ribs and a punctured lung after a horse was spooked by a dog in Holmwood, Dorking.

Out of control

Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses of the incident, which occured around 4.15pm on Friday 25 July.

The rider and her mother were out hacking on a bridleway on Holmwood Common, when they were approached by a loose dog.

The dog behaved aggressively towards her six-year-old Connemara, spooking the gelding, whose rider fell off and was then trampled.

Injuries

The fall left the female rider hospitalised, and she is unable to continue her work as an equine physiotherapist for several weeks while she recovers.

“My horse has a calm temperament and has ridden past dogs on the common before with no problems,” she told H&C. “Luckily he didn’t get bitten, probably because he is young and athletic, and managed to jump out the way. The veteran horse my mum was riding may not have been so able to avoid the attack, had it been her that the dog had gone for.”

Owner

The dog owner, a woman, is described as white, with long dark hair, in her 40s or 50s, approximately 5ft 5 inches tall and she was wearing a long white loose dress or skirt, with wellington boots.

The dog was a white or blond coloured, with a long fluffy coat, and similar to a Labrador.

“Dog owners have a responsibility to make sure they have control of their dogs, especially when in areas where they are likely to be in contact with horses,” said PC Mark Trezise in a statement.”I would ask that anybody who knows who the owner might be, or if you have seen them in the area before and can tell us more about them, get in touch.”

Anyone who has any information relating to the incident should contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference number 45140064941. Alternatively report it online at www.surrey.police.uk.