A WOMAN whose husband died after being kicked in the head by their horse, is still recovering in hospital as a result of her injuries.

Marie McGuire, 48, tried to come to the rescue of her husband after their horse became agitated while travelling to a show jumping event in Rising Bridge.

Her husband, Peter, 51, had gone to the back of the trailer to calm the frightened 11-year-old horse, called Hedgehog, when he received the fatal injuries.

A vet was called to sedate the horse and emergency services were called to help rescue Mr McGuire.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, the devastated family said: “Peter was a loving husband, father and son.

“He has been taken from us in such sudden and tragic circumstances and will be sadly missed by his family, friends and horse community.”

He was married to his wife Marie for 27 years and had a son, Joe, and daughter, Zoe, who the family said ‘he loved dearly’.

The statement said: “Peter lived all his life in Middleton and was employed by Lloyds TSB, formally Trustee Savings Bank, a job he loved and had done all his life since leaving school.

“He enjoyed watching football and was an avid supporter of Leeds Utd, he also enjoyed watching Leeds Rhinos.

“He was an active member of the Bolton and District Riding Club, with horse riding being a family hobby for the past eight years.”

On his facebook page, Peter said the family was “animal mad”.

The tragedy happened at around 5.40pm on Wednesday evening, in a lay-by on the A56 Edenfield by-pass.

Mrs McGuire, from Middleton, was kicked in the chest and suffered a fractured femur during the ordeal.

She is being treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital where her condition was described as ‘comfortable’.

The couple’s teenage daughter Zoe, who was with them, was treated for shock.

The horse is understood to be have been bought by the family earlier this year.