EXPERT WITNESS / CONSULTATION

The goal of an expert witness is to explain what happened in an incident to attorneys, judges, and juries. 

• He or she renders an opinion as to how and why an incident occurred.
•  Attorneys, a judge, or jury will use opinions of experts to better comprehend what happened and assist in their decisions . 

A good expert is neutral between plaintiff and defendant. 

• He must find and state facts based on study of relevant documents, videos, testimony, site inspections, horse evaluations, and any other source. 
• Facts are the keys used to form an opinion.
• Disputed facts must be dissected to discover veracity.
• Circumstantial evidence may clarify the most likely true facts and lead to a conclusion of what really happened.

Often practices followed when an incident occurs are compared with industry standards.

• Equine industry standards can be determined by guidelines  covered in instruction, examination, and certification programs offered by many equestrian organizations.
• In the United States there is no national licensing program for trainers, instructors, or facilities other than these non-government organizations.
• There are also numerous university studies on horses, horse management, and equestrian activities which can be used to document facts about horses and practices in the equestrian industry.

Standards do evolve.

• What was common fifty years ago can be unacceptable today.
• What was common practice in remote regions may be unacceptable based on modern industry standards.
• Equestrians are obligated to adjust to current standards no matter where they operate.

Accidents do happen in operations meeting the highest policy and practice standards.

• Horse activities are recognized as high risk due to the size of horses and their natural behavior.

I enjoy discussing an incident with attorneys well before a suit is filed or early in the case. 

• No fee is charged.  
• The case may prove too deficient to move forward or of a very serious nature where there will be an obvious result.
• I am often not hired in either situation.
• However, fewer frivolous suits filed is a good thing and letting attorneys know when they have an extremely serious situation is beneficial for them and their clients.
• It is good to not be hired when there is no need or when facts fail to support the goal of a client.

It is very important to me that I make my best effort no matter where the facts may lead.

• My work is split about 50% for defense and 50% for plaintiff.
• I will often play devil’s advocate with my employing attorney to see how facts may appear to the opposition.
• My opinions are based on facts tempered through fifty plus years of professional equestrian experience and education.

Horses and students remind me daily of the realities of working with them.  

• Documented policies, processes, and standards are great foundations, but the reality of daily action brings focus to truly important points.
• Assisting the legal system is a way I can give back to the equine industry what my lifetime with horses has given to me.

expert witness Expert Witness in Ventura

• Horseman since 1964
• Professional Horseman since 1974
• BS Animal Science, UC Davis
• BA Anthropology, UC Davis
• MA Educational Administration, CSU Northridge
• Experience with western riding; equitation, pleasure, trail, gymkhana, roping, working cowboy, and pack horses
• Experience with public trail rides and packhorse camping
• Experience with driving; harness racing, carriage, and wagon
• Experience with breeding horses
• Experience trimming and shoeing horses
• Extensive experience with English riding; eventing, dressage, cross country jumping, and show jumping
• Extensive experience training young horses and retraining problem horses.
• Given tens of thousands of riding lessons; some western, mostly English; eventing, dressage, jumping
• Schooled horses and riders through hundreds of thousands of jumping efforts
• Given hundreds of "first time on a horse" lessons
• Trained hundreds of horses and riders to high levels of achievement
• Trained dozens of horses from first handling through high performance
• Coached hundreds of riders in competitions
• Ridden in hundreds of competitions across the United States
• Managed and operated different sized equestrian centers, riding schools, and summer camps
• Trained youngsters through all classic certifications in the United States Pony Clubs, Inc.
• Was a Fence Judge for the 1984 Olympic Games Three Day Event
• Trained and coached the 1985 United States Eventing Association's Reserve National Champion Young Rider (Fritz Cup)
• Regularly train and coach riders and horses to the highest levels of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc.
• Taught college level horse management courses
• Member United States Equestrian Federation, United States Eventing Association, United States Hunter Jumper Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Pony Clubs Inc.
• Past District Commissioner and Regional Supervisor United States Pony Clubs Inc. expert witness Expert Witness in Ventura

Greg Coulson is experienced with the litigation process for both plaintiff and defendant (about 50% for each).  He has provided pre-trial consultation, analysis, and written reports.  He has testified in court, arbitration hearings, and depositions since 2010. Expert Witness in Ventura

Please email (button below) or phone 805 217 1549 for a free review of your situation or more information.  CV and Fee Schedule are available on request.  There is no fee until officially hired for litigation.

You can scroll down for examples of my work.