Ouchy New Year

[ruthp]

I've recently been enjoying hacking by myself, after a few years of loss of confidence, so on New Year's Day Bali and I set out for a short hack to see the New Year in. About a mile from home she had a little spook at something coming up behind us (I didn't see what it was) and broke into a canter. Now in normal conditions this wouldn't be a problem, as I know I can pull her up, but on this occasion it happened right at the top of a steep downhill section of the road, and the road was wet. So I dithered. I didn't know whether to just try and stick with her, or to try and pull her up and risk tipping her over. The decision was taken out of my hands when her front feet went from under her, and we fell heavily on her right hand side.

I don't remember much of what happened next - but I know I got back up, retrieved Bali from someone who had hold of her (I have no idea who - don't even know if it was a man or a woman), and led her home. My OH arrived home about 30 minutes after I did and I suddenly panicked, as I knew I had turned her out, but didn't remember taking her tack off!

So we headed for A&E, and had most of the right hand side of my body X-Rayed. Fortunately no breaks, but very severe bruising to hip and shoulder (I can't move my right arm yet) and huge cut and swelling to my right knee (yup, the one I had surgery on only in March!).

Checked my hat yesterday, and the right had side is totally compressed, paper thin. Not surprising that I don't remember much, but shows you just how well they work, as I didn't even have concussion, despite probably being momentarily knocked out. New hat now required. My body protector probably prevented severe rib / back injury as well.

Bali is not showing any signs of injury, but I will get a friend to give her an equine touch session just to be sure.

So, 2012, back to square one. Hoping that this won't have totally blown my confidence again, but can't be sure until I can get on board again, which will be at least a couple of weeks as there is quite a lot of healing to do first.

[KoLaTo]

I share your pain with my crashing fall yesterday and yes we are back to square one for the start of 2012 if i get back on that is......................his first spook and bolt for mths and it was obviously all going far too well.

[ladyndibs]

I hope you are both soon on the mend and you get your confidence back quickly.

[Dragonmaster]

Oh dear.... get some arnica tablets - great for recovering from trauma both physically & mentally.

[rj]

At least you know that there was a reason for the accident, and that although there was nothing you could have done to prevent it, there's no reason to think it will happen again.

I too had a small wibble yesterday, nothing major, but won't let that affect the rest of the year!

Get better soon and give Bali plenty of reassurance it wasn't her fault as she must have been scared too.

[holi]

Oh dear poor you - just try to think positively and move on - it was a pure accident and they happen. xxx

[sandy]

So sorry to read this. Heal first, then take it slowly and I'm sure you'll be fine. xx

[julz]

don't dwell on the experience.... and don't think it will happen again.. ride the same route you were taking even if only in walk.. Im sure Bali will look after you. Take care xx

[nich]

I had a near miss a few weeks ago too - I don't hack alone often, but decided I 'ought' to. Brio span at a dog, which she does in an elegant fashion pivoting on her back feet, front feet off the ground - she whacked me with her head nearly knocking me out. I think it's the season! A remote control car in the woods yesterday made OH's horse nervy...let's face it, its a high risk passtime.

have lots of warm baths to help the stiffness!

[wabuska]

Hi Ruth, gosh that was just sheer bad luck and you should try to put it behind you. An honest moment from Bali with no badness involved. If she hadn't slipped, you would just have pulled up I'm sure. Thank God you're both alright. You must have taken a knock to the head, to not remember if the tack was off!! You poor darling. Don't over analyse, rest and get back out there. XX Kya.

PS.. great time to spend loads of time with her, just hanging out, grooming, massaging etc., try not to worry.

[natty]

Sorry to hear that hope you heal quickly.
Did you take the tack off?

[treacletart]

RuthP showed me her riding hat today. I am sure if she wasnt wearing it she wouldnt have been able to post on here! It certainly looks and feels like it took a hammering on the road, and protected her. Her body protector has helped keep her safer too, again, without it, I feel sure there would have been more 'broken'.

I'm not going to write anything else about her as it would be rude and inconsiderate of me, but Ruth is on the mend and in good spirit considering what she has been through. I'm sure she will update you once she is rested a bit more.

Keep sending her and Bali the good vibes, and to those others who need them. Fab forum, very supportive. TT x

mta, yes Ruth had taken tack off.

[daisysp8]

Oh Ruth i`m so sorry to hear this ... But as already said, try not to dwell on it if you can, though i know that is easier said than done when you have lots of ouchy bits to remind you

I hope you are on the mend quickly, and that Bali isn`t too stiff in the coming days too. If you can, get some bachs rememdy for when you get back out there again, and maybe have someone come and ride with you to begin with ? Just til you get back into it ... i know you`ll both be fine x

[curlytobiano]

Aaawww Ruth you poor girl! You did amazingly well to be able to get Bali back home and turned out safely when you must have been concussed / in shock. Do hope you feel much better very soon and am sure you will get your confidence back, no need to rush. Best wishes for a rapid and massive improvement to 2012 for you!

[auburnalia]

Ouch!! I hope you mend soon, and thank goodness for your hat!! I had a similar, but nowhere near as bad, experience a few years ago, on a road, top of a hill, wet underfoot and my horse spooked a little, jogged down the hill and then sort of lost balance/slipped on the wet, like she was going to fast for her legs so ended up going down on her knees all within a few seconds so I had no time really to do anything, but somersault over her head.

I am still a bit weary of steep wet roads and make sure I have a lot of contact and the horse is listening to me, not to the bushes, but the best thing I did was go out the next day (or as soon as you're able to) and did the same ride again.

I hope you are ok and your confidence not knocked.