The tragic death of Jayne Hunt, 55, a respected equine podiatrist and founding member of The Equine Podiatry Association based in Evesham, has been formally referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by Wiltshire’s coroner. The incident occurred on July 9, 2023, near Bollards Hill, close to Seend in Wiltshire, when her horse was startled by a motorcyclist approaching a blind bend.
According to police reports, the sudden spooking caused Jayne to fall and suffer severe injuries. Emergency responders arrived promptly but despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The horse and motorcyclist sustained minor injuries.
An inquest originally scheduled for May 7, 2024, has been postponed under Rule 25(4) of the Coroner’s Inquest Rules 2013. This rule requires an adjournment and involvement of the Director of Public Prosecutions if there is reason to suspect the death may involve a homicide offence.
Jayne Hunt, from Melksham, was widely admired for her dedication to the welfare of horses. Her family described her as “incredibly well respected” and deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends and colleagues. Her contributions as an equine podiatrist were credited with saving countless horses’ lives.
The Equine Podiatry Association paid tribute to Jayne on its website, highlighting her passion, warmth, and immense influence as both a practitioner and mentor. Alongside Richard Vialls, she helped found an accredited Equine Podiatry diploma training program, achieving official Level 5 qualification recognition from LANTRA two years before her passing.
Her peers remember her fondly for her encouraging words and her commitment to the profession: phrases like “it depends” and “it’ll be fine” remain resonant among students and colleagues alike. The association acknowledges the profound impact Jayne had on horses, clients, and fellow podiatrists, and they express deep gratitude for the time they shared with her.