Accidents don't just happen while handling horses

Being around horses can be dangerous, but it’s not just handling horses that pose a risk.

We spoke with BGA member Carly, following a stormy accident that left her unable to work for weeks.

Carly, a head groom for a private family shares her story;

“I joined the BGA when I first started grooming and took out an insurance membership, (my Mum nagged me to do it!). I’ve just let it automatically renew every year and thank goodness I did, in fact I had forgotten I even had it.

In the storms recently I was doing late night check and because the wind was so strong, I decided to shut the big barn doors to protect the horses and stop everything blowing around.

The wind caught the door and knocked me over and then the door went over my ankles trapping me. 

Thankfully, my boss was there and helped free me. I felt a bit bashed and knew I had hurt myself but went back to my flat and had a look at what I had done.

I thought I was just bruised and took myself off to bed. The next morning, you should have seen the state of me! So much bruising and swelling, so my boss drove me to A&E.

The Drs couldn’t believe I had been able to walk away from this, they said it was like I had been hit by a car at 30mph.

My injuries were broken right ankle, sprained left ankle, bruising to my left hip and shoulder, sprained elbow, and broken fingers.

I’m so thankful to my boss for her understanding and to the freelance grooms who came in and covered for me while I was off.

Thank you to the BGA for having this insurance and for all their help.”

Thank you to Carly for sharing her story, we are so pleased you made a full recovery.

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.

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.

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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