A MAN whose wife died after she was kicked by a horse has launched civil action against its owner, claiming a belief in "natural" horsemanship left the animal uncontrolled. She had been visiting Smoke's owner, Gayle Manganelli, at a property in Paraparap, 100km southwest of Melbourne, and brought her own horse, Bree, for the equestrian weekend. Muir's widower Douglas yesterday began his case against Ms Manganelli in the Victorian Supreme Court, seeking damages for his family including for his severely autistic son who relied on his mother for constant care. "The defendant should have had the horse on a short lead," he told the court. She should have had the horse under better control. He said Ms Manganelli knew Smoke had a propensity to kick and should have taken action to keep it away from Muir and Bree. He is seeking damages for lost income and wages and for anxiety and depression.