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Re: [RC] [RC] Sued for speed - RavenFirst weekend in May, while I was at Wild River State Park in MN, a biker (on a horse trail) spooked three horses as the biker sped around a curve in the trail. This biker caused a terrbile accident which resulted in a 12 yr old suffering a badly broken arm. I came across this accident within minutes of it occuring. In fact, shortly before the accident the biker had sped up behind my group (4 horses), spooking (doing the "i want to bolt" jig) my two friend's horses in my group. Bikes are very quite and we did not hear the biker coming up fast...behind us. I know that many of you will say...well teach the horse not to spook to bikes. My horse is trained to bikes, they do not bother him, but ...keep in mind we are riding prey animals who are wired to bolt/run and then evaluate the "threat". And as we were "gaiting" down the trail, the only ones to hear the threat fast approaching from the rear were the horses. Just cuz horses spook...does not mean that they are not properly trained to "everything" that could and does go wrong while under saddle. Folks...they are prey animals. I took the time to ask the biker to please take care when on horse trails, to please warn the horse owners that he was approaching. He could have cared less. And minutes later, he caused...YES...IMHO...the biker caused the accident. This little girl went into shock while I was caring for her...almost 6 miles from the trail head. I do not do endurance, but I ride CMOs and I also ride an Icelandic Horse who "gaits very fast" down the trail. And when sharing a trail with "2 mph riders" it's up to the faster rider (ME) to slow down around blind spots. IMHO...there is nothing wrong with 2 mph riders, they also pay trail user fees and have every right to enjoy the trails...at whatever speed they choose. I think that it's unfortunate that a horse was killed, glad that no humans were injured/killed and yes, it was an accident. Could something have been done to prevent this accident? Sure, we all know this could have been prevented. I hope all of us as riders, have liability insurance that covers our riding activities, I do. Remember... we were not there...there are two sides to every story. Raven At that time And just because a horse is spooked and bolts, does not necessarily mean that it is untrained or or has not been exposed to the unusual things we see on the trail. And I don't see how anything can only be going 2 miles per hour on the trail unless it is a turtle. Accidents happen, and some accidents are preventable with prudent behavior. Thats why we have personal liability insurance. I would certainly not dismiss a suit out of hand, when I only have one side of the story. Betsy -- Raven Lucy & Molly, the Girl Doggies Huginn, the American Ice Pony Dixie Chic, the Barn Goddess Respect ALL Earthlings. We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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