Horse Accident Expert Witness

Horse accidents can result in serious injuries to riders, handlers, bystanders, and motorists. Legal proceedings following these incidents frequently require expert evidence from professionals with deep knowledge of equine behaviour, horse management, and safety standards.

Types of Horse Accident Cases We Support

• Rider injury from horse behaviour — Bucking, bolting, rearing, or shying incidents where horse competency or suitability is in question
• Escaped horse motor vehicle accidents — Fencing adequacy, gate security, and livestock management on or near roadways
• Trail ride and pony ride injuries — Duty of care by operators, horse selection, supervision standards, and safety equipment
• Pre-purchase trial falls — Whether the seller disclosed known behavioural issues or health conditions
• Racing accidents — Jockey negligence, track conditions, steward decisions, and racing clearances
• Cross-country and eventing injuries — Course design, fence safety, and rider competency requirements
• Workplace injuries — Occupational health and safety around horses in farming, racing, and equestrian settings

What Our Horse Accident Experts Assess

Our equine experts combine practical horsemanship with academic rigour. They assess:

• Whether the horse was suitable for the rider's experience level
• Adequacy of supervision, instruction, and safety equipment
• Fencing, gating, and containment standards for the property
• Horse behaviour patterns and whether the incident was foreseeable
• Compliance with industry codes of practice and state regulations
• Post-accident horse valuation and lost earning capacity

Our Equine Expert Panel

Animal Expert Witness Service has the largest equine expert panel in Australia, including:

• Show jumping, eventing, and dressage competitors with Level 2 coaching credentials
• PhD-level equine behaviour experts with peer-reviewed publications
• Equine surgical specialists and veterinary ophthalmologists
• Former presidents of equine veterinary associations
• Racing administrators and former jockey club executives
• Bloodstock agents specialising in racehorse transactions
• Horse transportation experts covering road and air transport

Founded in 1987 with a primary focus on horses, equine matters remain our deepest area of expertise. Co-founder Dr. John Stewart BVSc (Hons) MRCVS was previously the Director of Horse Management Studies at Marcus Oldham College.