Horse Falls

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icestationzebra

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There were two horse falls at Badminton this year where the riders got back on as I assume they were too lazy to walk back to the lorry park. Surely if a horse has fallen (and I mean classifed as a horse fall and therefore eliminated) it should be walked back in hand?
Views?
 
I would have thought the same. If you fall off in a SJ ring you walk out on foot.

I would deem myself too lazy to bother getting back on
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Speaking as a person who has had several horse falls in there very short eventing career. I could never walk my horse back to the lorry park in hand as it is too nutty; the thought of my horse getting free on parkland, far outweighs any concern I have about doing further damage (he has never hurt himself). This is excaberated when you thing of all the atmosphere that goes with badders & the danger a loose horse could cause loose in that park!

The thing I was more curious about (even though I dont think it was related tot the death of the horse in any way) When Sqwawk fell at the VV, his head clearly touched the ground, but it wasnt eliminated? Why? Was it just because he wasnt at a fence at that point?
 
Always interesting to hear the 'other side of the coin'.
The ditch that sqwal slipped at was not part of the fence and I don't think it is classified as a horse fall......
 
I suppose its one of those things that is quite easy to argue either ways. The Horse-fall rule is still relatively new & will be adapted at a later stage. In an ideal world, I suppose all horses that fell would get trailered back to the lorry park!
 
A horse fall , as I am told at fence judge briefings , is when both the shoulder & quarters touch the ground .

They can continue if they fall to their knees or their head touches the ground .

Sadly , not all riders know when to call it a day & retire on course ( not thinking of anyone in particular , btw & not referring to Skwal as I didn't see that round . )

The rules say that after a horse fall , the rider should leave the course at a walk - suppose mounted or not is at their discretion or depeds on any rider/horse injuries .

God , I sound boring !
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Yeah, basically the horse has to be flat out sideways to have a horse fall.

Although I had a quick ponder - if you have a horse fall somewhere nowhere near any fences, are you still eliminated? (since I know that if a rider falls not at a fence then they dont get penalised).
 
Um , I'm not sure !
We are told to consult the control if anything unusual happens - it would be unusual to have a horse fall proper on the flat ( I hope ! )
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You can get penalties if you have a rider fall between fences , but only if the fall was caused by something happening to unseat you at the last fence you jumped ( like clinging around the horses neck , until gravity takes over ) .

Again , we are encouraged to report the incident - Thank goodness !

Depends on the TA / Steward . One says ' If in doubt , mark them down . They can argue about it later & will be pleased if the penalty points are deducted . They won't be pleased to see penalty points that have to be added later . '

Clear as mud , sorry .

Another pet hate - explaining to a rider why I had to eliminate them . Rider accepts my decision , but returns 10 minutes later with ' Mummy ' who has a face like a hachet & will try anything from bribery to kicking your car to get you to overturn your decision
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My husband tends to disappear at moments like these
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[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, basically the horse has to be flat out sideways to have a horse fall.

Although I had a quick ponder - if you have a horse fall somewhere nowhere near any fences, are you still eliminated? (since I know that if a rider falls not at a fence then they dont get penalised).

[/ QUOTE ]

No if the horse slips on the flat you're allowed to carry on so long as it's ok
 
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Um , I'm not sure !
We are told to consult the control if anything unusual happens - it would be unusual to have a horse fall proper on the flat ( I hope ! )
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I have fallen on the flat in my first HT - got up, remounted, carried on and got placed
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they do say thats its safer to get back on after a horse fall if the horse is not injured - its safer to be on and in control than loose the horse if it gets excited as the next horse goes past. i know at events ive been to, even riding past the xc after a dressage phase, on a calm horse, he was unsettled, and i would not have liked to be leading him (i know diff circumstance completely)
and for a riders point of view, badminton is a long way to walk back after a fall! and... if the horse was unrideable, surely it would be taken off in the horse ambulance? a horse capable of being led at walk would surely be easier and safer to ride at walk? x
 
Hi

I don't think it is at all that the rider is "lazy". I think actually a horse who is not lame and "ok" is better and safer being ridden back to the lorry park than lead.

I think that falls can look worse than they feel too but if the rider feels the horse is ok, but obviously should not continue I wouldn't have a problem with someone riding it back to the lorry. I see your point because you are referring to if the horse is injured but looks ok at first glances.

I would have a problem with a rider-less horse getting away from a leader and galloping back though and those with fit/flighty horses can know what that is like just walking back in from the field sometimes!!

Diana
 
I had a horse fall at Witton a couple of years ago, rotional fall over the big corner - lovely! When i opened my eyes, my horse was lying on the floor next to me!

He's a complete quirky bugger and the first thing i said as i saw the fence judge going to hold him was no i'll get him - he's REALLY funny with other people especially men and there was no way anyone else would be able to catch him. I managed to get back on and ride home. There's no way from miles away from the lorry park i could have led him back. In hindsight i'd had a real bang and so had he but we both survived - he stood on the lorry all day and i groomed for antoher 4 even if the plaits were all a bit wonky! The fence judge didn't want me to get back on but as no one could get near the horse no one had much choice, even the TD!
 
The one i saw that i guess is one of the two you are referring to, was the Tom Cruise II fall at the oxer over ditch. To be honest, i am amazed that the horse and rider got up after what looked like a horrific crash....and to see OT mount again afterwards i thought was quite appalling tbh
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