The 73-year-old is facing a six-to eight-week recovery after being seriously injured at Addington Raceway on Easter Saturday.
Negus was taking two horses off a float when one of them “took fright and pulled me over”.
“I’m lucky to be alive.”
He has no recollection of the accident, but his injuries show his head, knee and hand took the impact.
Although badly banged up, he has since been cleared of concussion, undergone surgery on his hand, and was left with 11 fractured ribs.
Despite the injuries, Negus said he is feeling “pretty good” and has returned to light duties around his farm after being discharged from Christchurch Hospital last Wednesday.
In hindsight, Negus said the accident could have been avoided if he had unloaded one horse at a time.
“It was avoidable if I had just slowed down a bit and asked for some help.
“I’ve prided myself on being the one not getting injured.”
He said the incident was a reminder of the risks involved when working with horses.
It is Negus’ second serious accident in more than four decades of training horses.
“I got kicked in the head 25-30 years ago.”
Negus also thanked the many well-wishers who have been in contact, as well as those helping out during the enforced lay-off.
-By Dave Di Somma, HRNZ
-Additional reporting by Selwyn Times
