Nathalie Bull, Barrister at New Walk Chambers, recently successfully defended a claim for damages made against the owner of a horse that had collided with a vehicle whilst spooking. The Judge considered spooking to be normal equine behaviour, rather than an 'unusual characteristic except at particular times or circumstances' as required in order to satisfy the test under The Animals Act 1971 to create strict liability.
Nathalie wrote an Article regarding this important judgment, which has been published in 'Central Horse News Magazine' (June edition), the article can be viewed using the following link. This article will also be published in the legal journal 'Horse Law' in June (http://www.animallawyers.co.uk/) and on the British Horse Society website (http://www.bhs.co.uk/).