June 15th, 2024. While riding my beloved rescued Standardbred ex harness racehorse down my road, which I do as often as possible, I was assaulted, harassed, and injured. My horse, a multiple Grand Champion winner in different disciplines, has sustained severe injuries too.
The bills for counseling for myself are outrageous, and Floki, my horse, is acquiring an extremely high veterinary bill. I could not finish my last online semester of school and I will not be able to take a summer class. With my mental status, I cannot focus or sleep for that matter.
A little backstory…
My third time out riding my horse at a walk since my total hysterectomy. My doctor had just cleared me for walk and short rides only. Riding is my life. So I was ecstatic but I waited another week before my first ride to be on the safe side.
Since the incident on June 15th, I have had to overcome a lot of battles. Trauma being one and the loss of income. Due to my injuries as well as my horse's, I lost over $500 in competition entries for the year, non-refundable fees. Which I begged to get back, but no refunds. So that right there is a huge hit for me. My ($2,500) brand new saddle (on trial wasn’t even paid for yet I now had to pay for) and other tack have been destroyed due to Floki taking off. My helmet was broken ($350). Even if it was not a major hit like that they are supposed to be replaced for safety reasons. I can’t afford anything. Including food. I’m selling everything I have to make it another day.
The incident…
Started because I put my hand out to signal to slow down. This man got out of the passenger side of the SUV and started screaming and shoving his finger in my face saying I threatened him by signaling to them to slow down. I told him I’m on a horse please be responsible and respectful this animal is a fight or flight response creature by nature and as much as I would like to think I have full control over him I do not. He said he didn’t care. I then said I don’t understand what your problem is and please go. My horse is now dancing and freaking out. I told him as he continued screaming at the top of his lungs and saying that he did not care and kept saying I threaten him while still pointing and shoving his finger in my face, “one is supposed to yield to horses, bikes, pedestrians”.
Please note that my road has a speed limit of 25 and some areas at 35. They were doing anywhere from 45-55mph.
This grown man would not leave. He proceeded to yank me full force by my tank top and bra strap off my horse. I blacked out when I hit the ground. When I came out of it, arms covered in road rash burns and bleeding. Thankfully I wear a helmet. My horse had stepped on my knee and bolted full speed down the blacktop road. I lost sight of him. Now screamed to death. I got up and said great way to go do you feel better now? He then proceeded to punch me in the mouth making my lip bleed. He then told me he didn’t care if I was a female or not and shoved me to the ground. At this point I couldn’t move. As I laid bleeding in the middle of the road by myself and this male still screaming at me. I thought this was it.
This male had the nerve to yell to the driver who never got out to “call the police I was assaulted”. Yes, you read that right. As I am the one laying in the street!
My Apple Watch emergency call never went off because it broke when I hit the ground the first time.
The police are involved. However, I am beyond behind on monthly bills, and now my horse's medical expenses are rising, therapy is out of pocket because there are zero openings even with Telehealth.
I don’t know what to do. I have reached out to the victims hotlines and put in a claim but they said it takes about 12 weeks to get it even looked at.
Funds will be used to replace helmet, Flokis veterinary care and therapy costs as well as any bills that come about such as court, attorneys etc.
Thank you.
Added some photographs of some of the adventures just last year with a few of his prizes.
