A MAN is dead after he was stomped by a horse he had owned for 20 years at a farming community outside Labasa on Monday.
Qeledamu cane farmer Jwala Singh, 62, was returning home with his horse "Bendali" when it turned on him.
His visibly shocked and distraught widow, Prem Lata, 56, said she watched as the horse pinned her husband to the ground.
Mrs Lata said her husband was returning home with "Bendali" and her young colt at about 8am.
"Just a few meters from the house something must have happened to one of the horse's legs that caused the animal to slip," she said. "My husband was walking beside the horse and suddenly he was under it.
"I tried to push the horse away but it reared up and stomped my husband to the ground.
"I finally managed to drag him away from Bendali and ran for help. I don't know how I got through the morning but we managed to get him to hospital."
Mr Singh was rushed to the Wainkoro Health Center and later transferred to Labasa Hospital where he died.
It's believed he died from massive injuries to his stomach, a ruptured liver and broken ribs.
The horse, according to residents, was feared because it had a reputation for chasing people.
Anjani Devi, 35, recalls she was going to fetch water from the well when she was 20 years old when the horse chased her.
"I ran as fast as I could, scared for my life, and never went near the horse ever again," she said.
Mrs Lata said she never once imagined their hardworking farm horse would end up killing her husband.
"He'd wanted to visit a neighbour who was sick and had asked me to prepare $20 so he could buy fuel while he was out," she said.
A police spokesperson said there had been incidents involving horses this year which were of concern, especially in rural areas where the animal is one of the main forms of transportation.
"People should always be careful around animals because they are unpredictable," he said.
This is the second incident involving a horse this month.
Jai Pal, 34, of Qila settlement, was attacked by his horse on October 3.
Former Qila advisory councillor James Sami said Mr Pal was trying to free his horse when it attacked him.
"The rope had gotten entangled around the tree and as he was trying to free the animal, the horse bit him in the back," Mr Sami said.
"The horse then kicked Jai and stood on him before biting his other hand."
Mr Pal has since been released from Waiyevo Hospital and is recovering at home.
A Bua man was killed in August after he was thrown of his horse at Navakasiga.
