Killed horse was in mare's 'private space'

BARTLETT, Ill., June 15 (UPI) -- A Bartlett, Ill., woman claimed the stallion that was kicked and allegedly killed by her mare was invading the other animal's personal space.

Ruth Kay's attorney said in court papers filed with the DuPage County, Ill., Circuit Court that the mare, Gabby, kicked the stallion -- owned by Chicago resident Collette Sorensen -- in the shoulder after he rested his head on her backside, a practice that often leads to mating, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

Kay claimed the other horse was invading Gabby's "personal and private space."

Sorensen is suing Kay and Forest Trails, the stable where the horses were housed at the time of the January 2004 incident, claiming the encounter led to the death of the stallion, the Tribune said. Sorensen's suit claims Gabby "kicked, bit and otherwise battered the horse, Vinny."

The suit alleges Kay intentionally led her horse, "which she knew to be of violent and unmanageable disposition," into a private turnout reserved for Vinny, the newspaper reported.

Sorensen is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.