Thurcroft: Injured rider who was pelted with stones in vicious horse attack is unable to walk or talk after ordeal

Picture shows Lindsey Broomhead 28 of Rotherham on horse Murphy. Lindsey was on Duke of Norfolk Lane, Wickersley, Rotherham, the location where Lindsey Broomhead, 28 of Rotherham, was riding her horse Murphy when a group of three or four youths threw stones at the animal, causing it to rear up and throw Lindsay to the ground. See Ross Parry copy RPYHORSE : A devastated family spoke of their battle as a mum-of-two who fell from her horse as it was stoned by youths still fights for life. Rider Lindsey Hawkins has been in hospital for eight months since thugs left her for dead when they cruelly targeted Gypsy Cob cross Murphy as she rode on a private track in Rotherham, South Yorks. Terrified Murphy reared and ran off, throwing his frightened rider to the ground leaving her with the devastating injuries as the hooligans - aged from low to mid teens - scarpered. Lindsey, 28, who is mum to nine-year-old daughter Kayden and Corey, five, was left with brain injuries after the fall in May last year, and is still now

Lindsey Broomhead, aged 30, from Thurcroft, was riding along a track in Wickersley when her horse, Murphy, reared up in panic after being was struck by the missiles.

Mum-of-two Lindsey was thrown to the ground while the yobs responsible, who have not yet been caught, ran off.

Lindsey suffered a severe brain injury and stroke, leaving her unable to walk or talk.

She is now wheelchair bound and uses an iPad to communicate but is hoping to be home for Christmas with her parents and children.

A friend writing on a Facebook page set up to update wellwishers on Lindsey’s progress said: “It has been a hard 18 months for Lindsey and her family.

“Her children are a credit to her and have coped remarkably well with the support of their grandparents.

“Lindsey has really come a very long way.

“We hope that her body will get stronger and continue with improvements.

“Obviously it’s hard being in hospital still and away from her children for so long but they are all hoping the care package can be put in place in time for Christmas for her to go home.

“My hope is that the boys hear about this and realise what they have done to Lindsey and her family and that other children will learn what can happen and that it’s not funny to try and spook horses as this can be a consequence of their actions.”

Lindsey uses a specialist wheelchair to move around, with the seat able to rise 6ff off the ground, meaning Lindsey will be able to groom her horse when she finally leaves hospital.

Anyone with information on the yobs who pelted Lindsey’s horse is urged to call South Yorkshire Police immediately on telephone number 101.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 55511.