Groom died after kick from horse

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An experienced horsewoman was fatally injured when a bad tempered gelding kicked her in the chest after breaking out of its box, an inquest has heard.

Victoria Doehring, 36, of Whitland, was sent flying several feet through the air by the force of the blow.

She had worked as a groom at the Glasfryn stables near Narberth for over 11 years before her death on 7 July.

Coroner Michael Howells' narrative verdict was she died as a result of injuries caused by a kick from a horse.

The hearing at Milford Haven was told Mrs Doehring and her colleague Emma Allen were attempting to catch the horse after it broke free in the stables.

Ms Allen, 25, from Swansea, said: "We approached him together. He kicked out with both legs and Victoria was on the floor. There was no warning, there was nothing."

Traumatic injuries

She said the horse was known to be bad tempered and nervous, but added: "He did not have a nasty side. He did not try to bite, he had not kicked out at all before."

Ms Allen said she dialled 999 and was given instructions over the phone about carrying out cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

As a result of the incident she has decided to train as a paramedic.

Mrs Doehring was taken by air ambulance to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, but was pronounced dead shortly after.

Victoria was very experienced, she was not worried about the horse at all Glyn Davies, Victoria Doehring's father

A post-mortem examination found she had suffered traumatic injuries to her liver, chest and ribs.

Mr Howells said: "However you may think that you know how an animal is going to behave, it will sometimes surprise you and do things you do not expect.

"The horse lashed out with its hind legs, catching Victoria Doehring."

Addressing the family, he said: "This is a dreadful case and I'm sorry for you all."

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Doehring's father Glyn Davies described his daughter's death as a "freak accident".

"Victoria was very experienced, she was not worried about the horse at all. She was quite confident, she could deal with it," he said.

He paid tribute to Ms Allen and the emergency services and said: "They could not have done more."