Horse Trainer Allegedly Told to ‘Cowboy Up’

DALLAS (CN) - A rancher told a horse trainer to "cowboy up" and "get back to work" one week after two of his fingers were partially amputated while he was loading an uncontrollable horse into a trailer, Andrew Ryan Frye claims in Tarrant County Court.

The alleged accident occurred while Frye was working for Tom B. Saunders Sr. and Thomas Saunders V at the Saunders' Twin V Ranch in Weatherford, Texas.

As he attempted to load a "very green" horse into the trailer, Frye's hand was "jerked through the eye of the trailer due to the knot tied at the end of the lead rope," the lawsuit states. "Plaintiff then heard a rip and a zipping sound. The next thing he knew his hand was free, but had a numb feeling and (the horse) ran out of the trailer.

"Plaintiff's middle finger and ring finger were bleeding profusely, and he could see bone and flesh hanging from them," he claims.

Frye says the doctors were unable to save his mangled fingers. Saunders V allegedly called him after about a week, not to check on him, but to find out when he could return to work. When Frye told him six weeks - based on doctor's orders - that's when Saunders V told him to "cowboy up," the lawsuit claims.

Frye seeks damages, plus back pay and benefits.

He is represented by John Schulman.

Defendants include Saunders Management Co., Curtis Holdings, and Saunders & Curtis Cattle Co.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit