Homan Described as Avid, Experienced Horse Rider

UPDATED (6:17p.m.)—Fred Homan set out for a horse ride Saturday afternoon along a popular trail in north Baltimore County—a hobby that did not come as a surprise to those who knew him.

But something happened along that trail just after 12:30 p.m. Saturday that caused Homan, described as an experienced rider, to fall from his mount. Homan sustained injuries that ultimately required him to be flown to a Baltimore trauma center for treatment.

Coworkers say Homan, 58 and a Timonium resident, is an avid and experienced horse rider and is known to ride regularly.

Elise Armacost, a county spokeswoman, said Homan “has been taking riding lessons for years and is best described as an intermediate-level rider.”

Don Mohler, a county spokesman and chief of staff to County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, said it wasn’t a surprise to hear that Homan had gone riding over the weekend.

“He looked forward to his regular horse riding experience,” Mohler said in a phone interview. “It was part of his recreational routine.”

So much so that Homan was known to go out at lunch to buy treats for the horses.

“It wasn’t unusual for Fred to go out at lunch and buy carrots for the horses,” Mohler said.

But questions continue to surround the circumstances that caused Homan to fall from his mount Saturday afternoon and sustain injuries that required him to be flown to a Baltimore trauma center.

“It’s not clear,” Mohler said when asked how Homan injured himself. “Nobody knows what led to the accident at this point.”

A report released by Baltimore County police offers new details into the accident but leaves that question unanswered.

Homan was near mile marker 18 of the Northern Central Railroad Trail in north Baltimore County on Saturday when he .

Homan rented the animal from Acres of Hope Farm, a horse farm that rents and rescues horses. He was riding with a group of six women in a line along the trail around 12:30 p.m., according to the police report.

Karen Buck, who was also riding with the group, told police Homan was riding at the end of the group that was headed south along the trail. Buck said she didn't see or hear anything unusual but did see Homan injured on the ground.

Homan was wearing a helmet he got from the horse farm at the time of the accident, according to the report.

The extent of Homan's injuries remain unknown.

The report states that an unidentified person, who claimed to be a doctor, cared for Homan in the moments before medics arrived, according to the report.

Homan was later flown from the scene by helicopter to Shock Trauma.

Mohler said Sunday that Homan was listed in serious but stable condition.

A spokeswoman Tuesday morning told Patch that . It is not clear if Homan was sent home or transferred to another medical facility.

A source in county government said members of the county's pension board announced Tuesday morning that Homan, who is on the board, had been transferred to Kernan Orthapedics and Rehabilitation Hospital. The facility specializes in serious head and spinal cord injuries.

County officials remain silent about Homan's injuries and will not confirm if he was transferred to another medical facility.

In a statement released by the county late Tuesday, Homan said he "appreciates the concerns and good wishes of everyone as he continues to make excellent progress."

Kamenetz, who is on vacation this week, is quoted in the statement saying that Homan "is expected to make a full and speedy recovery."