law-animal-liability
09‑0333 JESSICA SEIDLER v. JAMES M. MORGAN, D/B/A FISH CREEK RANCH AND MORGAN LAND
AND CATTLE PARTNERS, LTD., D/B/A FISH CREEK RANCH; from Bowie County; 6th district (06-08-
00107-CV, 277 SW3d 549, 02‑12‑09)(animal liability, horseback riding accident, suits in assumed name,
piercing corporate veil)
Jessica Seidler accompanied her fiancé on vacation to Fish Creek Ranch, located in mountainous
southwest Colorado near Dolores, Colorado. Although she was not an experienced equestrian, she was
invited to take a horseback ride on October 6, 2004. The docile horse which was initially selected for her
was saddled, but the saddle began to slip; the wife of the ranch employee who was helping her selected a
different and more spirited mount for Seidler's use. During Seidler's ride, the horse upon which she was
mounted bolted in fear from sudden thunder, causing Seidler to fall heavily to the ground. As a result of
the fall, Seidler suffered a dislocated hip, a debilitating and painful injury. Seidler filed suit October 6, 2006
(two years to the day after the injury) against James M. Morgan and Morgan Land and Cattle Partners,
Ltd., each doing business as Fish Creek Ranch, to recover for the damages she had sustained.
09‑0250 JOHN L. KENNAMER, ET AL. v. ESTATE OF JOHN A. NOBLITT, ET AL.; from Brazoria County;
1st district (01-08-00134-CV, ___ SW3d ___, 01‑08‑09)(animal law, injury due to cow, lack of ownership
defense successful)