Emotional over incident today - have I broken my horse

[Flyingsolo]

Horse spooked and buggered off into the middle of very rough stubble field today when we were supposed to just be walking the perimeter. It has really upset me thinking I may have let her get injured.

I'm really struggling with life at the moment and it's the anniversary of my sisters death tomorrow, my mum passed just this November gone, so I've dealt with two of my most loved people leaving in such a short time, and my judgement is all over the place.

I am so worried I've broken my horse that I can't think straight.

How will I know if I have a problem? Will it show right away? Could it be something that comes up in days? If I don't see lameness, can I assume we are ok?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time.

 

[webble]

You didn't let her get injured it's just one of those things with horses. I'm so sorry this is a tough time for you

 

[IrishMilo]

I’m sorry you’re having a tough time. If she did something it’s likely you would have noticed it straight away. If she’s sound tomorrow she will be absolutely fine! Just one of those things that could have happened to anyone.

 

[Carrottom]

Not your fault, and hopefully no harm done. That is what horses do.
Horses do crazy things all the time in the field when we don't see them. As long as there are no visible signs of trauma, try not to worry.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Horses injure themselves without any help from us!

You don’t hurt her or causes. Be kind to yourself

 

[Cragrat]

I am sorry - totally shit time. Horses love to scare the pants off us, just to make sure we are focusing on them

So, cold hard possibilities IMO would be bruised foot, or some kind of sprain or strain.

A sprain /strain would probably show as lamesness straight away - a mild one might show as a bit of puffiness but slight/hard to see lameness tomorrow.(in which case ice/cold hose/rest).

A bruised foot would show as lameness straight away, but an abcess MIGHT develop in the next few days/week - in which case poultice as needed

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Try not to worry, it wasn’t your fault. So sorry you’re having a tough time.

 

[SEL]

Breathe!

I was cantering down a field margin last year when a helium balloon dislodged itself from the hedge and blew at us. Newly ploughed field too - not sure how we didn't face plant when she spooked. I was also paranoid as this pony has some pre existing injuries so she got a precautionary dose of devil's claw but all was fine.

This is the same pony who ran me up a £5k vet bill having zoomies in the field, misjudging her brakes and sliding into a fence on her bottom. They are quite capable of self harm.

Fingers crossed all OK today

 

[Sleipnir]

So sorry you're having a tough time.

My oldest gelding once reared in the field in front of my eyes, lost balance and fell on his back. He needed chiro adjustments afterwards, as he had injured his back and tail was now crooked. Horses are perfectly capable to injure themselves in creative ways - nothing to blame yourself about.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Horse are very creative when it comes to injuring themselves, no human or fault required! Don't be too hard on yourself about it.

I've also seen horses do some crazy things and be shockingly fine. Such odd creatures!

 

[exracehorse]

My horse put his foot down a rabbit hole. Where there was a wild hornet nest. We were both stung so much, that he bucked me off. And galloped into the sunset. I had to walk for an hour in the middle of nowhere to the nearest house. These things happen. You’re obviously emotionally very triggered at the moment. You have a lot going on in your head. Breathe. Xx

 

[Merrymoles]

Horses are tougher than they look!

Having switched from a cob with about ten inches of bone to a spindly legged TBxWB, I have been paranoid that I'll break him but I haven't managed it yet and I'm pretty sure that if he does break, it'll be him that does it!

 

[SEL]

My horse put his foot down a rabbit hole. Where there was a wild hornet nest. We were both stung so much, that he bucked me off. And galloped into the sunset. I had to walk for an hour in the middle of nowhere to the nearest house. These things happen. You’re obviously emotionally very triggered at the moment. You have a lot going on in your head. Breathe. Xx

Now that's a nightmare scenario even my deepest anxiety attacks hadn't dreamt up!!

 

[eahotson]

Nothing to add except to say be kind to yourself.You are going through a very tough time.

 

[Elno]

The longer I've owned horses, the more I've come to the realisation that they are basically giant suicidal hamsters. If you can think of 100 ways they can hurt themselves and plan for it not to happen, I bet they're going to figure out a 101'st (and 1001'st) way to do it anyways. It's not your fault, be kind to yourself

 

[jules9203]

Horses will harm themselves in a padded cell. Chances are your horse will be fine. You weren't to blame xxx

 

[Barton Bounty]

Really sorry this is such a hard time for you, sending hugs

On the other hand you are probably overthinking and horse will be absolutely fine

 

[Carrottom]

How is she today? Hope all ok

 

[Fjord]

I'm so sorry you have had to deal with such losses. I hope your horse is OK. They are capable of ridiculous behaviour at any time and seem to like to choose moments of stress to add some more.

 

[Jellymoon]

Now that's a nightmare scenario even my deepest anxiety attacks hadn't dreamt up!!

Yep, that’s another one to add to my list of imaginings!
And dare we ask, did you find the horse eventually and was he ok?!

 

[Jellymoon]

So sorry you are going through a really tough time and hope you are getting through today.
In answer to your question, if you don’t see lameness, assume she’s ok, yes.

When things like this happen to me and I worry I’ve done something to lame my horse, I like to think about hunters who stay sound through a whole season of galloping and jumping in rough, muddy ground and banging along the road in trot and canter. They are quite tough really.

 

[tristars]

Sure you will be fine

Could you take for a walk in hand with a bridle round the the same field, to reassure her and make yourself feel more positive that she just had a little blip and next time there is
nothing to worry about

 

[exracehorse]

Now that's a nightmare scenario even my deepest anxiety attacks hadn't dreamt up!!

I’d only had him a week!

 

[exracehorse]

Yep, that’s another one to add to my list of imaginings!
And dare we ask, did you find the horse eventually and was he ok?!

I walked and ran for an hour. Way out in the countryside. Timmy ended up at Mr Norman’s yard three miles away. Covered in the hornets. The staff took his tack off and put him in the stable to roll and roll. It was getting dark by now. I had them stuck in my jodhpurs. And was bruised from being bucked into a ditch. I’d only had him a week!

 

[frankieduck]

Sorry you're having a rough time, your horse will likely be absolutely fine they're tougher than we give them credit for, hunters gallop across rough and deep ground for hours a day all season, and some of the shapes my horses throw in the boggy fields in winter turns my stomach!