A rider is warning others to take care when on the beach, after her horse was involved in an accident on Sandwich Bay in Kent.
Ellen Eagles was riding her Irish sports horse Jasper with her friend Anna and her horse Bambi when a fun day out turner into disaster.
The pair were trotting in fairly shallow water, around hock depth, when suddenly Jasper “disappeared” into a hole, which surrounded lumps of concrete, which were concealed under the water.
“Jasper was flailing around on his side, it was absolutely horrific,” Ellen told Your Horse. “He somehow managed to get to his feet and limped out of the water, which had gone red with blood.”
Jasper was led back to the trailer and Ellen was able to remove his shoe, which had been pulled from his hoof during his struggle.
Ellen’s vet was already at another emergency, so they agreed it was best to treat him once he was home.
Once back, the vet treated Jasper. He sustained cuts all over his body, but the worst wound was on his shoulder and required 30 stitches.
Ellen said Jasper is doing remarkably well, and is expected to make a full recovery, but had not enjoyed box rest and is usually out 24/7.
The grey gelding, who enjoys hunting and hacking, is 11 years old and has been owned by Ellen for nine years.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but it broke my hear that it happened to him,” she said. “He’s the sweetest horse and I’ve always said he is with me forever.”
Ellen sustained a fractured shoulder which will heal itself in time. She now wants to warn other riders of the risks.
“If we had gone any faster would have bene completely catastrophic, my horse would have broken a leg or legs,” she said.
“[The concrete structure] completely concealed from view and we were going so steady, there was nothing to suggest it was there. My friend thought about the size of car. I think it might be something from the war, as there lots of bits of old infrastructure around there.
“We have been down there loads of times, but I don’t think I’d ever want to ride in the water again. It’s a lesson: Don’t go in the water unless you’re 100 percent sure there’s nothing there.”
