A WOMAN died after being trodden on by one of her beloved horses, an inquest has concluded.
Margaret Davies, 80, better known as Maggie, passed away in a Norfolk hospital last month, 16 days after being trampled by her thoroughbred horse Benny.
Maggie Davies, 80, tragically died after being trampled by her horse Benny[/caption]
The 80-year-old had dedicated her adult life to equestrianism, competing as well as training and breeding horses[/caption]
She suffered injuries to her sternum and a fractured clavicle after being accidentally trodden on[/caption]
An inquest into her death heard she had been leading Benny, a bay-coloured Connemara, to its paddock on August 8 when the horse suddenly became spooked.
Maggie was then knocked to the ground when Benny jolted sideways before it tragically accidentally stood on the 80-year-old.
She was quickly admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, suffering injuries to her sternum and a fractured clavicle.
However, Maggie went on to develop pneumonia while receiving treatment and subsequently died on August 24.
The court heard that Maggie had devoted her entire adult life to equestrianism, adding that she said she would “never” give it up, despite her GP encouraging her to quit.
This came amid a number of previous injuries after falling from her horses, as she bred and trained horses as well as competed.
While she had not ridden for about six months at the time of her death, Maggie still kept two horses, reports the Fakenham Times.
Her husband, Peter Davies, paid a touching tribute following the inquest.
He said: “Maggie was passionate about horses and a lover of nature from a very early age – she had a remarkable affinity with all animals and they an innate trust in her.
“This was clear to see so much that I would jokingly call her St Francisca of Norfolk.
“When she was just four or five years old, her pet spaniel trusted her so deeply he would allow her to dress him up in doll’s clothes and wheel him around in her doll’s pram.”
Maggie – who was a well-respected figure in the Norfolk equestrian community – competed in dressage, cross country and showjumping.
She competed in horse trials on local and international levels and was “highly-regarded” in her disciplines.
Dr Davies, a retired eye surgeon, said: “She was 80 years old at the time of this tragic accident and perhaps not so agile as when she was younger, which may have contributed to her being unable to avoid being knocked down when the horse she was leading suddenly shied.
“Horses do unexpectedly spook at times when startled by what is to us humans the most trivial of circumstances.
“It was an awful, tragic accident and we will miss her terribly.”
It is not known what exactly spooked the horse, as Maggie was unaccompanied at the time of the tragedy.
Maggie may have moved on to look after a new stable in heaven, but she will remain in our hearts forever.
Carousel Riding Club
Area Coroner for Norfolk Johanna Thompson concluded Maggie died an accidental death.
She said: “Margaret Davies suffered traumatic chest injuries as a result of being knocked over and trampled on by a horse on August 8.
“She was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich for emergency care and was treated on the high dependency unit.
“She was provided with appropriate care but died there as a consequence of the injuries she suffered in the accident.”
A touching tribute was also paid to Maggie by the Carousel Riding Club in Norfolk – which she had served as president of.
A tribute on the club’s website read: “Maggie was a staunch supporter of the Carousel Riding Club and has been associated with the club from its inception.
“Dressage was her first love and she was very knowledgeable about all things horsey.
“Maggie may have moved on to look after a new stable in heaven, but she will remain in our hearts forever.
“We wish her family well at this difficult time.”