Horses Bolt in Peer Forest Walk, Injuring 15 Children at Riding Camp

Fifteen children were injured on Thursday afternoon when a group of horses bolted during a forest walk at a horse riding camp in Peer, Limburg province, Belgium. Emergency services transported the children, aged 8 to 14, to hospitals in Maaseik and Pelt, as well as to a general practitioner in Bocholt. None of the injuries were serious, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

The Incident

The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 16 near the Breugelhoeve equestrian facility, also known as Domein Panhof, in Peer. Nineteen children and six supervisors were taking part in a forest walk when one horse stumbled, triggering a chain reaction that caused the other horses to panic and bolt, throwing several riders.

Suzy van Wollem, General Director of Sportievak vzw, the organization running the camp, explained the sequence of events to VRT NWS: “One of the horses stumbled, causing all the other horses to be startled. That escalated like a domino effect.”

Emergency Response and Hospitalizations

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. According to reports, five children were taken to the hospital in Maaseik, four to the hospital in Pelt, and seven were brought to a general practitioner in Bocholt. Four children were discharged from hospital shortly after arrival, while others received medical treatment for minor injuries.

“We are so grateful that all those children are only lightly injured,” Van Wollem told VRT NWS. “It could have been much worse.”

The local police zone Noord-Limburg deployed multiple units to the scene for assessment and assistance. The city of Peer provided shelter at a nearby community center and helped notify parents, allowing the camp supervisors to recover from the shock of the incident.

Camp Continues Without Riding

Despite the frightening experience, the majority of children chose to remain at the camp. However, on the advice of psychological support staff, the organizers decided to modify the program for the final day. “On the advice of psychological support, we thought it better that they didn’t get on a horse today,” Van Wollem said. The camp concluded on Friday at midday with alternative activities instead of horse riding.

All horses returned safely to their stables following the incident. They will be examined by veterinarians before being used again to ensure their fitness and safety.

Organizer and Location

The camp was organized by Sportievak vzw, a sports camp provider based in Zwevegem, West Flanders. The six-day program (July 12–17) was held at the Breugelhoeve facility in Peer, a well-known equestrian center that offers horse riding camps for children aged 8 to 18.

Looking Forward

Van Wollem praised the coordinated response from local authorities: “The police kept us continuously informed. We were very well supported by the police and the people from the municipality.”

Questions remain about whether authorities will investigate safety protocols at the camp and what long-term psychological impact the incident may have on the children involved. The horses will undergo veterinary examinations before any future riding activities resume.