Christchurch's well-known homeless horseman is sticking to his guns in front of a packed courthouse in the Christchurch District Court.
Richard Hayden is charged with endangering public safety after his horse ran in front of an oncoming car last year.
The driver suffered minor injuries, while the horse had to be put down.
Hayden was well know in the city for walking around with his two horses.
Representing himself, the 47-year-old told Judge David Ruth the horse bolted onto the road when it got a fright from the sound of wind howling through the trees.