Near death experience again!

SophieLouBee

SophieLouBee

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I conclude from this that in a ditch with a horse upside-down on top of you is no fun place to be hanging out!

Riding one of my clients horses out on a hack with her riding her OHs horse, this horse has turned into a a fruitcake since she had a fall and broke her collarbone. So hence why I'm riding it. So, after a nice day at Malvern performance sale (some cracking horses there), we decided to go out for a hack (first one in some time).

Firstly, we can't even get out fo the gate, napping and all sorts (horse i'm riding just sets of other horse), but we carry on and after about 5 mins we eventualy go forwards. Now he's being a bit of a tit, just having a TB tantrum, grunting and tossing his head etc, but nothing I didn't expect.

So we get out of the track that leads up to her house and onto the road, now by this point he's in a right stew jogging and snorting, but hey ho thats fine. Carry on along road, then we get to a hill, brakes go on and lead horse (who is a saint to hack normally) spots something and just refuses to go. So a little bit of gentle persuasion and some instruction from me and we carry on (all this time my horse is just standing still). So we set off and he starts to play up, trying to rub my leg on the fence, kicking out in temper blah blah blah, trying to mess about so I turn him in a tight circle and tell him to get on with it. A few more strides and he kickis out, hits the fence with his leg and explodes! Up in the air, bucking, going backwards, so I turn him on a tight circle again so he can't go up or buck. So then he just backs up across the road and doesn't really rear but takes his front two off the floor, one more fatal step back into the ditch...

So I'm now standing on the floor, but with my feet still in the stirrups and horse up infront of me, i manage to get my feet out and move back a bit, but too late he falls lengthways into the ditch on my legs and abdomen!
So what you'd see as a bystander is a horse in a ditch on its back laying on my lap like a baby (sort of haha :P) but all you can really see is my head apparently (my poor client was hysterical).
He shifts a bit and I shuffled out and leapt away from thrashing horse clear of the ditch, then he managed to get up.

I grabbed him and he was holding his back and his front leg and I honestly thought oh god thats it, he needs the gun. Then he started to rear up at me and try and stand on me, I'm at this point yelling for client to ring vet whilst she is yelling at me saying I need to go to hospital. So I look again at the horse and too my relief he has come out in hives (nettle stings) hence the leaning and rearing.

Manage to get up into a gateway off the road and let the queue of cars past, horse is gong balistic at being stung at this point. Horse is better when moving so I decide that we lead home and call vet. Manage to get home, clients OH has told her that she has to get rid of horse and shes hysterical, I'm just trying to keep cool and get home lol.

Vet came, shot of steroids and painkillers and all sorted (horse not me), I'm fine, all I got was a pyriton some euphax itch cream and a maccies for nettle stings and a sore foot from where he trod on it on the way home.

Very lucky me thinks! (I do know this is serious, but If you don't make light of it you don't go to work the next day!) FUN FUN FUN.
 
Doesn't sound like fun in the slightest. A tit of a TB having a fizzy is not mine, and am sure many others idea of an enjoyable hack out.
Just glad you were ok, it could so easily have been much much worse. As for the horse, his future doesn't sound too promising at this point.
 
The horse has been used as a hack for the previous two years with a novice rider lol. I had a feeling he was going to be fresh is what I meant (sorry not worded very well, typing in a rush). I use the term fruitcake lightly, he is just naughty because a) he hasn't been ridden for a while since owner broke collar bone and b) he is a spoilt by his owner so is used to getting what he wants by showing off(owner admits that this is all her own fault too!)

:)
 
Yeah, ruthnmeg, her OH was really mad at her telling her he's destined for the glue factory. It's sad because underneath all this angst there is actually a sweet horse who likes to be stroked and fussed, but then a second later he can be up on his back two... I don't mind so much as I've seen it all before, and I'm happy to ride him in the arena! It's just a shame for client, because all she want's to do is kiss him and cuddle him, but he's not the right sort of horse for that mollycoddling. She will deffo keep him, not fair to pass it on to anyone else at this point in time anyway, I'm going to keep working with him in the school for a few weeks, then start leading him out, but I don't think he's ever going to be right for client again :( Maybe with a bit of work we might consider a loan to someone who is VERY experienced, he loves jumping so if he is any good possibly go down that route.
 
Hi just cruising through some posts and found this one, my horse will just stop on the road and nap although there is normally something scary to blame. Anyway, had a chat with a friend who is an Instructor who said that she call it's bluff and let it run into the ditch. Today we had a major stop on a country lane, of course just when I was getting to grips with the issue a car came and we had to move which involved turning back the way I'd come (a definite no-no with a napper), followed by the circles and making her walk backwards in the direction I was going, anway, my friend was worried about why I was late to meet her so she came on to meet me at which point I allowed the horse to turn in the direction I was originally going, asked her to walk on which she normally does when she sees her friend, she then said 'no I'm going back' and then proceeded to teeter on the edge of quite a deep ditch, one hind leg was actually sliding down the edge - I didn't dare kick or hit her again despite the advice to let her fall into the ditch and have just come home and read this last thread. So am glad I didn't let her fall into the ditch!!! It also was murky in the bottom and could have old cars etc. in there. Oh, and the culprit of the napping? 2 x large bales of hay in an entrance to a field with a closed gate. Horses!
 
It does surprise me that anyone would put themselves and other road users at such risks, taking horses that are so unsettled out and about. Personally I dont think there is anything brave, clever or skilled in any of this.

What about other people out walking, etc if your horse is not being cooperative right from the start .... and how on earth can you expect to reliably get out of the way of cars. :confused:

I have been in the situation in the past of riding upset horses on the road and learnt my llessons ......... now I ensure that before I leave the yard my horses are calm and responsive .. that is the responsible thing to do imo. If something then happens - well we deal with it at the time ( getting off if need be) and address the problem at home.



On a purely practical note........... what it something had happened and horse or human injured for example and an insurance claim required....... you could be held to blame for this in carrying on when you obviously not "in control" of horse.


and as for an INSTRUCTOR saying she would call the horses bluff re the ditch and let it run into it. How callous can one get with regard to human and horses life and limb :eek: :eek: :eek:

There is something wrong if a horse is reacting like this on the roads and the place to deal with this is in a training school or safe open area NOT on the public roads.
 
Glad it's not just my OH who always defaults to the same old answer of 'GET RID' when something goes wrong!!! this story made me laugh, especially the bits about the nettle stings but seriously I am glad you are both okay!!!
 
Oh tazzle - lighten up!

SophieLouBee - horrible thing to happen, glad you can be lighthearted about it but agree that's the best way (I'm too much of a coward & would be a quivering jelly!). Similar thing happened to an elderly friend of mine on her elderly hack, it backed into one of our deep local ditches and had to be rescued by the fire brigade (both survived to tell the tale, thank goodness) so just shows it can happen to anyone.
 
I hate ditches!! i came a cropper on one a while back whilst leading my mare over it, she panicked and leapt straight on top of me sending me flying, and manged to rip off my hat at the same time, i was lucky to get away with broken toes (she trood all over me) a very grazed face and chin from my hat and various other cuts and bruises and a snapped bridle!!
I have an immense fear of them since!
 
"lighten up"

why ?

do you not take road safety seriously ?

I do ..... the roads are the most dangerous place for horses to be so they need to be as calm and responsive on them as possible. To set out on a road with an already upset horse ("5 mins of napping" , "being a right tit", "jogging and snorting" ) is imo not the best choice.



am I to "lighten up" because I am concerned that you could have had a crushed pelvis like a gent next to us who's horse fell on him in a ditch ... and that a riding instructor thinks its ok to let a horse put itself in one :confused:


I am saddened that people find this funny :confused:



I find it hard to "lighten up" when people take horses with known issues out onto the roads.

I met two riders I dont know very well out hacking one day and was invited to join them. Then suddenly on a bend one barged up the inside of me and the other was spinning in the middle of the road with cyclists that had come up behind having to pass us on the other side the road. If any vehicles had been coming round the bend the other way it would have been carnage.

The spinning horse, we were then told, had a known issue with cycles. :mad: :mad: :mad:

risk of death ....... considerable !



NO horse is perfect, they can all be spooked, even the best of them having a bad day .... but if they are already having a bad day before you leave the yard, why do it :confused:



I dont have a school either farriers mum so I do empathise ..... to get to any bridleway I go straight onto a road for at least a mile. Still I use the yard to check out my horse before we get on the road to see than she is listening to me and I to her.
 
SophieLouBee said:
because all she want's to do is kiss him and cuddle him, but he's not the right sort of horse for that mollycoddling.
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Unfortunately, therein lies the problem; the owner bought a TB when what she really wanted was a cat.

SLB: Hats off to you, I have ridden motorbikes since I was a teenager and also driven racing cars for a hobby, both these pastimes offer regular opportunities for 'near death experiences', but I am not sure I would want to experience the same feeling on horseback.

It's a good thing for the horse that it has someone who understands it looking out for it. I've seen this sort of owner again and again and in reality their mollycoddling and anthropomorphism is just dangerous to them, their horses, and those around them. The most worrying thing is, they don't see it.

Glad you're still in one piece and good luck with you clients horse, he sounds like a darling to me, he just needs to blow off a bit of steam, bless him.
 
Anyway, SLB,what I forgot to say is I am glad to hear you are alright and if you hadn't posted this little story I would not be in the position of now KNOWING that I must not take an instructors advice and not let my horse run backwards into the ditch as it is dangerous - reading your story moreso than I imagined.
Tazzle, that's the problem, horsey listens and does all at home, outside gate, could ride her back and forth outside my house a million times and she wouldn't nap, it's just one of those things if something scary occurs. I find the napping safer than the whipping round!! They are animals after all as NeilM with his comments about anthpomorphism concludes. If you have a perfect horse - then good for you it must be one in a million!
 
Tazzle: I started out riding a very green and nappy pony. Like you, I have to ride on the road to get to the nearest off road hacking. I ride through a village, but it's busy with cars, motorbikes, lorries, buses, tractors, the lot.

My lad is now pretty much bombproof, but the only way to got him used to traffic was to ride or lead him around busy areas and the only way to overcome his napping, which used to include, planting, reversing and the occasional 180 degree spin, was to ride and work him in hand until he had more self confidence.

In an ideal world we would all have loads of off road riding, but we don't, so inevitably we HAVE to work our horse on and around busy roads. Yes, we have to be as careful and safe as possible, but we're working with horses, so there is always going to be an element of risk and unpredictability.

At least in this case it was a highly competent / confident rider on a spooky horse, the alternative of a tense and nervous rider on a tense and nervous horse does not bare thinking about.
 
NeilM said:
Tazzle: I started out riding a very green and nappy pony. Like you, I have to ride on the road to get to the nearest off road hacking. I ride through a village, but it's busy with cars, motorbikes, lorries, buses, tractors, the lot.

My lad is now pretty much bombproof, but the only way to got him used to traffic was to ride or lead him around busy areas and the only way to overcome his napping, which used to include, planting, reversing and the occasional 180 degree spin, was to ride and work him in hand until he had more self confidence.

In an ideal world we would all have loads of off road riding, but we don't, so inevitably we HAVE to work our horse on and around busy roads. Yes, we have to be as careful and safe as possible, but we're working with horses, so there is always going to be an element of risk and unpredictability.

At least in this case it was a highly competent / confident rider on a spooky horse, the alternative of a tense and nervous rider on a tense and nervous horse does not bare thinking about.
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I agree totally .... Your lad and my lass must be related cos she behaved just like yours when she was able to go out... :eek: She was terrified of everything when I got her as a rescue so I had to get my hands on her first and do a lot of undoing of previous "training" and basically reback her. The first time I took her up the lane in hand towards the road in hand she was rearing with fear so yes, I do know what it feels like;)

I am not "lucky" to have a fairly reliable , responsive horse ... and no she is not perfect :rolleyes: she has her off moments too.... its a lot of work to get a horse that way. ;) I drive my horse as well as ride so she has to be able to cope with this stuff , its a necessity for any driven horse.




I am not saying that no one can take a horse out unless it is perfectly behaved...

Yes, we have to be as careful and safe as possible, but we're working with horses, so there is always going to be an element of risk and unpredictability.
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double aggree :D

so if anyone sets off on the road with a horse already upset then the chances of it listening when the proverbial hits the fan are far less. :cool:



It is also quite possible to get horses used to a great many things / occasions it will meet on the roads before it actually does... again just lessens the amount of stressors it will meet. Llike my example with the bikes. ..... the rider knows the horse had a problem with all bikes.... almost phobic in response she said. Loads cyclists in our area so why not do summat about it .... random short exposures to a fear object will not do anything except compound the fear. Easy to get a bike and habituate horse to it ... even get it used to a friend riding the bike alongside it.... nothing hard about that. :confused:
 
NeilM said:
Unfortunately, therein lies the problem; the owner bought a TB when what she really wanted was a cat.

Thanks.....tea all over my PC couldn't stop laughing.....I have to avoid ditches my mare will throw herself into them with gay abandon if I get after her.....
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Tazzle, i think the post was written in a light hearted way, if the OP wanted a lecture from you she should have entitled the thread..

'PLEASE CAN SOMEONE LECTURE ME IN A SELF RIGHTEOUS WAY...'

but she didnt.... ;)

Please dont think i dont think what you said isnt terribly important, road safety is a big issue with any animal, but its people like you that continually put down and love to get on your high horse (excuse the pun!) with threads like this... :eek:

Its boring.
 
came back to apologies farriermums for not responding to what you said ...... it is hard when we dont have off road places to ride and quiet lanes to get our horse used to things . I was glad you chose to ignore your instructors advice and that neither you or OP were hurt in any way.


Maybe lubuzz it was a lighhearted post .... but written words do not always convey intent very well ... I interprated it one way (which might not have been the OP intent) ..... just like it is not my intent to be on any high horse or be self righteous .... which is how you interprate my words. I did not say I or my horse was perfect ..... just what we do to lessen the likelyhood of similar incidents happening.


Perhaps my point of view is clouded because in my area recently not only did one man have a crushed pelvis another woman is now paralysed from the neck down from similar incidents.......... I did not think having a horse on top of one in a ditch is amusing in any form . Maybe as a stress relief afterwards one needs to laugh at it (provided one walks away) .... but maybe there are things to do to lessen the likelyhood of it happening again :confused:


I never intend to put people down ... just comment on actions that affect others in public.
 
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