Girl, 11, kicked in face by horse

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said the girl was kicked in the face yesterday afternoon in Pukekawa, Waikato. File photo

An 11-year-old girl kicked in the face by a horse hasn't been put off the animals despite the experience.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said the girl was kicked in the face yesterday afternoon in Pukekawa, Waikato.

"When we arrived the girl was being looked after by the local emergency crews, who had stabilised her," said Russell Clarke, intensive care flight paramedic.

The Westpac helicopter crew helped look after the girl before taking her to Middlemore Hospital with her mother.

"She was a very brave girl," Mr Clarke said. "She loves horses and apparently this hasn't put her off."

Rescue helicopter crew said the incident happened on a paddock.

A helicopter crew member said the weather in the area yesterday afternoon was dismal and overcast.

The girl was now recovering after having surgery in hospital.

Her aunty told NZME News Service the family were very proud of how courageously the girl coped with the ordeal.