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New Forest horse rider undertakes sponsored walk a year after severe fall caused by out-of-control dog
Overview
Marie Vickers, a 46-year-old horse rider and personal trainer from Hampshire, is undertaking a 60-mile walk through the New Forest to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership. A year ago, she suffered severe injuries requiring emergency surgery and intensive care after her horse bolted when chased by an out-of-control dog. The incident left both Vickers and her horse traumatised. She is organising the Walk for Horses event to promote safety, encourage dog owners to use leads around horses, and raise funds for the Injured Riders Fund.
Key points
- Marie Vickers suffered severe injuries in October 2025 when her horse bolted after being chased by an out-of-control dog in the New Forest.
- She spent six days in intensive care and underwent emergency surgery following the high-speed fall.
- Her horse, Jimmy, was severely traumatised by the incident and required extensive patience to recover.
- Vickers is organising a 60-mile Walk for Horses event to raise awareness, promote safe forest sharing, and support the Injured Riders Fund.
- She is urging dog owners to put their pets on leads when approaching horses to prevent similar incidents.