A 1-year-old is fighting for life after a horse stepped on the child in eastern Bexar County, turning a quiet stretch of Horse Ranch Road into an emergency scene.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened in the 3000 block of Horse Ranch Road and that the toddler suffered serious injuries. The child was rushed to a nearby trauma center for emergency care, though officials have not publicly identified the hospital.
According to WOAI, deputies responded to the scene and confirmed the child was in critical condition. The station's initial report did not include details on what led up to the horse stepping on the child or the circumstances at the property.
How common are serious horse injuries?
Horse-related mishaps send tens of thousands of people to emergency rooms across the country every year, and they are not limited to rodeos and trail rides. A 2006 study of emergency department visits published in PubMed Central found that nonfatal horse-related injuries often involve trauma to the head, face and limbs and frequently require hospital admission.
Federal hospital data analyzed by HCUP shows animal-related incidents accounted for nearly 1.3 million emergency department visits in 2009, with horse-riding accidents among the more expensive injuries to treat. Serious harm does not always come from a dramatic fall in the saddle, either, which is why safety experts constantly harp on ground-handling habits.
Safety advice from equine experts
Equine-safety organizations stress that children should never be around horses without close adult supervision and clear boundaries. Basic rules such as keeping kids away from a horse's feet, teaching them not to dart or crawl around the animal and avoiding sudden movements can significantly cut the odds of a dangerous reaction.
The Certified Horsemanship Association recommends seeking certified instruction, following established handling routines and remembering that many of the worst injuries happen on the ground, not just when someone is riding. Trainers often say that treating every horse as if it could spook at any moment is not paranoia, it is standard practice.
The sheriff's office has not released the child's name or additional information about the investigation. WOAI first reported the incident. Hoodline will update this story if officials provide further details.
