A mother of two has been left with severe brain damage after a group of teenagers attacked her horse causing her to fall off.
Throwing stones
Lindsey Broomhead is unable to walk speak eat or drink and has been in hospital ever since the incident last year (17 May 2014).
The 29-year-old was riding in Wickersley South Yorkshire when a group of teenagers threw stones at her horse Murphy. The cob reared up and bolted causing his rider to fall.
Lindsey was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital. A scan revealed she had a bad concussion and was allowed home two days later. However she was readmitted after complaining of headaches.
Brain surgery
It was discovered Lindsey had a bleed on the brain and required surgery. This involved removing part of the brain’s cerebellum which controls motor skills and meant she could no longer walk. She then suffered a stroke which left her unable to swallow.
Lindsey now has to be fed via a tube and communicates by typing on an iPad or alphabet board. According to her mum Val she can at least give her children Kayden (nine) and Corey (five) a cuddle.
“Lindsey is making small steps but she will never be able to have physical involvement with her kids again” she said in The Daily Mail. “All this has been taken away from her because of a needless senseless prank. It really is devastating for all of us and our lives have changed so much.”
Val (59) has taken legal custody of the two children along with her husband Frank (62).
Gentle giant
Murphy is being cared for by Sarah-Jane Binder-Swash who runs the stables where he is kept along with Lindsey’s youngster Sienna. She says the attack really changed Murphy who used to be a “gentle giant”.
“He has just started hacking properly and is a lot less jumpy” Sarah-Jane told H&C. “After the accident he would spook if he heard a load noise or anything brushed against his body like bushes or trees.
“He still doesn’t like to go out alone but he is getting braver and better as time goes by.It’s just a shame Lindsey will never be able to go out with him again as they loved their rides. She’s such a lovely lady and an inspiration.”
Still out there
Lindsey was riding on Sarah-Jane’s family farm when the incident occured.
“Our family have been here since 1925 and have never had trouble before” she said.
There has been an on-going police enquiry but they have been unable to find those involved. “The police have been brilliant and so helpful but these people are still out there and know what they did” said Val.