Rider warns of out-of-control dogs year on from fall

A horse rider is calling for more responsible dog ownership after she suffered serious injuries falling from her horse when it was chased by an out-of-control dog.

Marie Vickers, 46, from Ringwood, Hampshire was riding in the New Forest in October 2025 when her horse bolted into woods after being startled by the dog, and she came off at "high speed".

She suffered severe injuries in the fall and was taken to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery and spent six days in intensive care.

A year on, the personal trainer is embarking on a two-day walk through the New Forest aiming to raise "awareness and consideration" from dog owners.

An experienced rider of 40 years, Vickers was on her horse at Linford Bottom near Fritham in the New Forest when "life changed in a matter of seconds".

The horse was chased by an out-of-control dog, which she described as "terrifying".

"My horse was frightened and lost control, and I was thrown from the saddle. I was lucky to survive.

"It was pretty life-changing. It does change the way you look at life.

"Being a personal trainer meant I had a good base fitness and mental resilience was a massive factor."

It took six months before Vickers was able to get back in the saddle and ride again.

She said Jimmy, her horse, was still "struggling psychologically" with anything behind him.

"Jimmy was so traumatised we couldn't even groom him or tack him up without him wanting to take a bite out of you.

"It has taken a lot of time and patience to get him happy and less nervous. I'm not sure that he will ever compete again."

As a New Forest commoner, she said she was aware that her's was not an isolated incident.

"It's upsetting that so many people have said 'that happened to me'. Dogs causing problems is happening more and more.

She urged dog owners to put their pets on a lead whenever they see a horse.

"Dogs like to chase things - if it moves, they see it as fair game."

"It's a lack of training or a lack of understanding. Some owners just don't care," she said.

She has organised a 60-mile Walk for Horses event in the forest, to raise awareness and support the Injured Riders Fund charity which helped her through her recovery.

She insisted it was "not about blame or pointing fingers".

"I'm hoping it will have a really nice community feel. We're putting out safety awareness information for people to understand how we can all share the forest safely together - horses, dogs, cyclists, runners, walkers and families."

Along with friends and family, Vickers plans to leave from Hyde, near Fordingbridge on Saturday morning, heading to Fritham, Lyndhurst and Beaulieu before heading back to Lindford via Brockenhurst and Burley on Sunday.

The walk follows the death of a New Forest pony which was recently killed by an apparently loose out-of-control dog.

The New Forest National Park Authority has a code which urges dog walkers to "not damage the special qualities of the forest or interfere with the working practices that help maintain the landscape".

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