Posted On: October 26, 2006, 2:54 pm CDT

Posted By: Riding Instructor

I have been on the other side of exactly this type of suit - I had a horse kick another rider after telling the rider to leave one horse length between each. To no avail - Horses are live animals-they are unpredictable-I've seen the gentlest old broodmare go running and bucking off because of a bee sting-Horses are flight animals - they run away frm any perceived danger - on the subject of weather this person was an experienced rider, well....I have been in the horse business for over 30 years and I STILL take an occasional lesson, watch a video from a new trainer etc - its like insurance, you NEVER know anything - if I was renting a horse I would probably sign the waiver and put beginner or intermediate - heck - I want one of their GOOD horses - not the one that takes off every time the wind blows - Waiver, Schmaiver-the person should have been honest about their experience. When a horse takes off like that there's not much the instructor could have done - I tell my students hold on and try and keep the horses head up - that's all you can do-