Came off! :-(

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domane

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I came off a new "safe as houses" cob mare last Thursday who bronc'd out of nowhere. She is 8 and I know her history for the past 4 years so this is totally out of character for her and will obviously be investigated in due course. I went over on descent and my ribs behind my left arm took the brunt of a very hard fall onto tarmac. I have at least 4 broken ribs, possibly more but they can't see on the x-ray due to blood and fluid in my lung. There isn't a mark on my arms or legs and I've had a black eye but the bang to my head was minimal, although my hat is wrecked. I was hospitalised for 4 days as I had a haematoma on my spleen which could have ruptured so I've been closely monitored. Turns out I'm a tough old bird that didn't need any surgical intervention as my lung wasn't bad enough to need tubing either. I think as the mare curled upwards and all feet came off the ground, she propelled me, I went up and the RS-tor kicked in for a split second which kept my arms down, causing the flip-over. If I hadn't been holding it, there is every chance I would have instinctively put my arms out to save myself and could well be nursing two broken wrists and a mashed up face so although I'm in a lot of discomfort, I'm kind of glad that I am still fairly independent.

I'm 48 years old and up until last year I had never worn a BP. Initially I had a Harry Hall slab type which was like wearing a sandwich board so I wore it half-heartedly but last December I got a Racesafe and it is so comfortable that I wear it every time I ride. The doctor told me that it probably saved my life from the force of a fall that would have undoubtedly mashed my internal organs.

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If you don't wear a BP. Please please PLEASE consider getting one..... these accidents happen in a split second.

I have four horses that my husband is visiting twice a day for me around his full-time job and then he's my carer too. I am missing my five week old foal more than I can put in words.

And there is a seriously big question mark hanging over my future riding.....
 
So glad you are if not ok then at least on the way to being ok. Sounds like a horrible fall. I must admit I always insist my daughter wears her body protector but I don't even own one. May have to re think that.

I hope you have a swift recovery and that this fall doesn't affect your riding in the future.
 
Good grief what a dreadful experience. Its good to know that you are on the mend. Your poor husband will be worn out, but it sounds as though he is worth his weight in gold:)
It's a timely reminder for us all to wear our BPs, especially as its been so hot this week, and its easier not to bother with it.
Hopefully you will be up to visiting your little foal soon and I really hope that this doesn't put you off riding in future.
Get well soon:)
 
Hiya,

Definitely thinking of replacing mine - I've had mine stood on by a Shire X with shoes on (when I left it on the ground) and had a few falls when jumping but I've had it for about 4 years now and they always say to replace after so many years. I wanna be more safe espically now as I'm riding more experienced / sensitive to ride horses.

Hope your feeling alright and getting better by the day.
A :) x
 
I am so sorry to hear about this, domane. Good job you have such a star of a husband to look after you and the horses. And thank God for your body protector. I hope you make a speedy recovery, though by the sound of it, with those broken ribs, you will be very sore for a long long time. Just a word of warning, beware if the docs put you on Tramadol for the pain. If they do, do not take it for more than a few days as it is highly addictive and worse to come off than heroine or cocaine! But they seem to dish it out like smarties in hospitals.
 
Wagtail said:
I am so sorry to hear about this, domane. Good job you have such a star of a husband to look after you and the horses. And thank God for your body protector. I hope you make a speedy recovery, though by the sound of it, with those broken ribs, you will be very sore for a long long time. Just a word of warning, beware if the docs put you on Tramadol for the pain. If they do, do not take it for more than a few days as it is highly addictive and worse to come off than heroine or cocaine! But they seem to dish it out like smarties in hospitals.
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Thanks for the best wishes and advice, Wagtail. I came out with just paracetamol and ibuprofen although I've since been to my GP and am now on a very low dose of co-codamol which is making a hefty difference for me. And yes, I'm aware of the effects of codeine on my "digestive system", shall we say! ;)
 
:eek: dear lord I wish you a speedy recovery :( That looks extremely painful :(

Feel free to post me your foalie...he is B E A UUUUTIFUL!! :D He can play with my very playful 2yo filly who still thinks shes a foal at times!!! :D
 
monkeybum13 said:
What is a RS-tor??
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I had mine made by a friend who makes tack out of beta-biothane - it is essentially a grab-strap clipped to the D-rings by my stirrup bars on my saddle, but running free across the strap is a D-ring with a vertical strap with a rubber martingale stop on the end*. I've had some confidence issues in the past so I use it as a reassurance. I've tried grab straps and neck straps but in the event of a spook my reactions aren't quick enough. I can hold my RS-tor all the time, along with my rein, in either hand, without it interfering with my hand position. It jammed me straight into the saddle when Jack was spooked by a pheasant a few weeks ago on my second try with it. Funnily enough I was only thinking just before it happened "Hmmm... will it really work? It seems awfully long" and then nature saw fit to prove it! :D It also meant that Jack wasn't jabbed in the mouth by me.

Last week, nothing in the world would have kept me in the saddle so I'm not knocking the RS-tor - it definitely has it's place and I will use it again - IF I ever get back in the saddle.



*both saddle and RS-tor remain intact and look undamaged following last week's accident.
 
Sorry to hear about your fall, I was bucked off by my mare a few years ago (all 4 feet off the floor job) I broke my back and didn't sit on a horse again for 4 years. I'm back in the saddle again and wished I'd done it sooner. I too have a racesafe bp after my mishap but due to weight loss its huge on me now. I've been riding without it but I'm now thinking I really ought to look into getting a new one.
Hope you get well soon!
 
Am really sorry to her about your accident. I hope you are starting to feel a bit better.

Really just to say don't lose heart. I'm 20 years older than you, and before Christmas was dumpd heavily on tarmac. My (very spooky) cob mare was startled, I'm told as I don't remember much of the incident, by pheasants erupting out of a hedge. She went into flight mode, but in her first 3 strides buffeted the horse on my left. My left knee caught under that rider's rigt one, and hooked me out of the saddle. Was unconscious, in A & E etc.etc.

It took me two weeks to get my courage up enough to ride again, and from then until yesterday I have never hacked alone - made me totally dependent on my liveries' kindness and I felt very low with myself (I've ridden, hunted etc. all my life and here I am scared to go out on my own). However yesterday, my riding companion for the day pulled out when she discovered her horse's leg was inexplicably swollen. I either had to turn my horse back out too, or bite the bullet and ride by myself. I did the latter, and I'm so pleased with myself. We only went 3 or so miles, quietly along the lanes. The mare was as good as gold, and I now ride her in a Myler rather than a jointed eggbutt which gives me a bit more control if needed - but it wasn't.

I'm sure you are doubtful at the moment, but don't despair. Until you ride again you won't really know how you feel, and I hope you too have somebody kind to ride out with to help your confidence. Good luck!
 
aww hun:( you poor thing, you must feel really horrible just now. Every day that passes you will a little bit better and the memory will fade a little bit too.Ive been bronced off twice like that by different horses, both irish lol;) I know the propelling into the air feeling:o Don't be hard on yourself or put any pressure on. You'll know whats right for you. A fall on tarmac is one of my biggest worries, Im going to be getting an air jacket for when i get back in saddle,i already wear my bp all the time, espec now i have a small person to think of.
 
Ouch! I too always ride in a body protector, although in this heat it has been tempting not too, I have still put it on as its not worth the risk! I hope you make a full recovery
 
Oh that was nasty. Sorry to hear about your fall and wishing you a speedy recovery. I am a couple of years older and we just don't bounce anymore. Will defo wear my BP more after seeing that as am having first jumping lesson on Monday evening after my last attempt when I broke 5 bones 4 years ago so do get back on and just do what you feel comfortable with. Ignore everybody else until you get your confidence back - worked for me!:D
 
Sounds awful, thank goodness for your Racesafe! I have one too & wear it every time I do anything. Riding will always be a dangerous pastime, regardless of how good a rider you are & how safe your horse usually is. Pleased you are on the mend. X
 
Ouch! That looks really nasty. I hope you make a speedy recovery and that there is nothing sinister causing your mare to react like that too. It just goes to show that you can never be too careful as all horses can spook once in a while. I'm glad you're okay though, here are some (healing vibes) to help you along the way :)
 
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