Falls and Propping

Achinghips

Achinghips

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After a prop the other day mid canter and a spectacular fall, I did an internet search to find out a little more about this. This is the type of fall that changed Christopher Reeve's life and eventually claimed it. There is little information about it on line. Anyone have any experience of this and tips to avoid or sit it?
 
My understanding was that he was eventing (cross country) and his horse stopped at the fence. He went over the horse's head, caught his hands in the bridle/reins so could not cushion his fall in any way and landed on his head. His hat saved his brain but he broke his neck. Horse ended up on the floor in a heap on take-off side.

As for propping - SIT UP! Is what is usually shouted at PC!
 
Yes I remember those days too:). For those unfamiliar with the term, propping is when the horse without warning stops, and you get catapulted forward out of the seat, usuallylanding on your head. It can be very dangerous indeed.
 
this was the main reason I used to use an 'oh ***** strap' between the drings on the saddle. I could hook my thumb under it and it was enough to keep me on board.
 
Like this??

Happened on Saturday, took his bridle off too :o luckily it was pretty slow mo, just this was the moment of no return.... :rolleyes:

217928_10151365338199989_1362760725_n.jpg
 
Lol - that's the one. Hope you're ok. Mine did it at the beach when we went mid canter onto a change of surface from wet to dry sand. Didn't half crick my neck on landing and the bounce to sudden stop jarred my back something chronic. Thank god for hot showers and Ibuprofen!;)
 
Yes a sudden pulling on of the handbrake lol! As you originally said about sitting back, I had committed myself to the take off half a stride too early! Needed to sit and wait!
Yours sounds really nasty, nothing worse than neck pain!

All falls are bad but I think a prop fall tends to give you no chance to break the fall (ie when I go out the side door I usually land on my a**!) its just straight on the head Ouch!

I like the sound of a stock saddle :D Do you think they'll become the new xc saddle?! :rolleyes:
 
*raises hand*

Think my best one was on my lad last year....I ended up, where I thought 'luckily' at the time, going over his neck but landed on my feet, reins still in hands, with his head/poll on the ground with him on his front end down between my legs.
I remember looking down in surprise and bemusement at how I'd ended up on my feet, without a jolt, standing up, none for worse....of course, said horse got up. Cue me getting picked up sat behind his ears, him then flying backwards and rearing up to get back up and off said jump.....with me then being cannoned about 10ft UP and off his ears. And I still somehow landed on my feet, catching the reins as I landed, just stood there next to him like nothing had happened.

We both looked at each other, I burst out laughing, gave him a pat, got back on and off we went again.


:o


Could have worse!
 
I've always been encouraged to lean forward to take weight off horses back when going fast, but if you get a prop, you're off.

Maybe I should stick to the hunter seat at the beach, until big lad is used to it!
 
My mare is an horrendous propper, cantering, suddenly sees something, jams on the brakes also does it jumping, now have a youngster who is very spooky not exactly the same but you have to be sitting up and in the defensive position at all times, not easy but the only way to survive.
 
You mean like this?
http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/dafthoss/pro1-1.jpg
:rolleyes:

Sadly it just one of those things I have got used to with him. The worst ones are when your casually cantering round with xc length stirrups (trying to get my ankle used to it) then he sees some thing in the bush/grass and in a single stride is 3 meters to the side :rolleyes: fine if you have prepared your self and sat down not so if your casually cruising still :o.
 
Mine props a lot but tends to throw her head up at the same time, in which case I usually stay on board. It's the random 3' leaps to one side that usually have me on the deck, I blame the pheasants, myself...
 
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