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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
Home /Grooms life/I e2 80 99ve never been so terrified in my life

I’ve never been so terrified in my life

We spoke to BGA member Caitlin Wood, following a freak accident that left her unable to walk. Caitlin, Head Groom for a private family in Fife, shares her story;

“I had a hunting accident in November 2021, as we both hit the ground, I knew I wasn’t getting up from this fall. I remember looking to check the horse was ok, they got up and trotted off sound, then the panic and the pain rushed through my body!

I’ve never felt so scared and vulnerable in my life, I have always been able to walk away from falls in the 13 years of working with horses.”

Caitlin spent 12 days in hospital, unable to move and in unbearable pain, it was the support of the horse community, family and friends that kept Caitlin strong. 

“When I got out of hospital the panic about work and the horses set in. During the first week when I was out of hospital, I received lovely supporting messages from the British Grooms Association.

I was never asked lots of questions, but they were there for me, supporting me mentally more than anything. The BGA completely understood what I was going through and it was so nice knowing they had my back, as I was worried about how long I would be off work and how can I pay my bills.

Then the worry of will my insurance cover me for this type of accident and injury, I researched it and was relieved to the insurance I had taken out as part of my BGA membership had me covered, this gave me complete peace of mind. I’m also very lucky that my employer has been amazing and is supporting me 110%.

But sometimes this isn’t the case, I have heard lots of scary stories where people are unsupported so for me it was important that I was covered.

We all know that freak accidents can and will happen.”


Thank you to Caitlin for sharing your story, we are pleased you are on the road to recovery.

 

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Find out more about our groom specific policies and how we can help to protect you.

 

BGA MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

 



BLOG ARCHIVE

 
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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO
Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO		  
YES
YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES
NO
NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES