Hale v. O'NEILL

OPINION

CONNOR, Justice.

This action stems from an equestrian mishap involving a spirited gelding named “Pepper”.

Plaintiff Donald Hale, a relative of the defendants, was a frequent visitor at the O’Neill home and had ridden Pepper at least six times. Hale grew up on a farm where he had some experience riding horses.

On July 4, 1969, at the O’Neills’ home, Hale saddled and mounted Pepper without any trouble. He rode Pepper into a neighbor’s field, where several other horses were standing about. Pepper bucked a few times upon seeing the other horses, then settled down. Hale then rode Pepper around…