Lily joined us just in time

Being around horses can be a dangerous place, we see and hear about accidents all the time.

At the BGA we regularly help grooms who have been in an accident. Luckily most do have insurance, but at times there are grooms who have been injured without protection. 

Don’t let that be you – make sure you have insurance.

We caught up with Lily to hear her story of an unexpected accident and how important insurance is. 

“I’m a freelance competition groom, I travel all over the UK and Europe. Most grooms think accidents won’t happen to them - well they really do!

I had taken myself and my own horse away for a holiday. We were wandering up a dirt track on our way to the beach, little did I know there were pigs nearby. My green horse spooked, just as I had looked back towards my mum who was on foot. I was caught completely off guard, he spun on the spot and shot to the side within a spilt second. When I fell, I heard my leg snap – I knew instantly I had broken it. 

The emergency services were incredible, as I was over 200 miles from home, I was taken to the nearest hospital, Kings Lynn. I had broken my tibia and fibula.

Two days later I had an operation, a rod was inserted into my bone, and I also had a plate. After a further three days in hospital, I was allowed to make the long journey home to rest for six weeks.

After six long weeks of being laid up, I had to slowly start weight bearing, it took a lot of time to fully recover.

Money was a huge worry for me, I had just bought my first house. I was straight on the phone to the BGA, as I knew I had the silver membership with the ‘plus option’ to cover me with my own horse.

Thanks to KBIS insurance company, who have been AMAZING, I was able to cover my bills. Being laid up was really hard, not just physically, but also mentally. Grooms are not used to sitting all day, so being told I literally couldn’t do anything, was so challenging.

I am so pleased I didn’t have the extra stress of bills, thanks to the BGA I didn’t need to worry about financial matters. 

All I can say is thank goodness I had cover, we all think we are indestructible, but accidents happen, so get covered guys.”

Thank you to Lily for sharing your story, we are pleased you are recovered and had the insurance you needed.

If you get injured and you are unable to work your income is likely to be reduced, or disappear completely if you are a freelancer.

Freelance groom, employed groom or equine student on work placement - whatever you do, the BGA is here for you and your insurance needs.

The BGA has the best grooms insurance for all who work with horses.

Protecting yourself is important, trust us, we hear about accidents all the time.

Join 1000’s of other grooms and belong to your professional association.

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