Near death/Life changing experience

[Above&Beyond]

Life changing experiences… have you had one?
This experience has been lingering with me for months now, and I just think 'WOW WTF'? Seemingly having more of an impact on me than the times when I've actually broken smth or got injured. This was one the luckiest days of my life – my luck being that I came home alive and unhurt, I felt like I had been given a second chance to live, I just needed to share this ...

Working on a yard looking after some stallions, the saddle fitter came to fit a new saddle to one of the stallions. This particular stallion I groomed, but did not ride, however my workmate, his rider was off, and thus my boss asked me to ride him for the saddle fitter. My workmate had told me he reared when ridden without draw reins (attached to girth between front legs and over poll- I would never really recommend putting draw reins on a horse that rears...) I didnt put the draw reins on because I thought they would interfere with the saddle fitting, and I am experienced in riding rearers and all sorts of problem horses, so wasnt too bothered if he reared a couple of times. (saddle was fitted without a numnah, girth was not tightened on mounting)

However, no one could have prepared me for what was about to happen... I got on, had time to arrange the stirrups… then he leapt through the air, and started rearing vertically, repeatedly. We were on concrete (all horses were generally mounted on the yard). I thought, ok, I know what to do... lets just get him moving forward to prevent him moving upward, I squeezed him on, but he was not reacting just kept going up. I then tried ‘sitting’ quietly, tried tapping gently on the head with my hand as he went up, nothing made a difference (I did not try hitting him at any point).

To make things worse one of the stirrups fell off the saddle and we had somehow ended up in the main yard with horses tied up outside and mares around. He was still going up, I was very concerned that he was gonna go over backwards, or slip and fall. Everyone around was just standing, staring in disbelief. It was neverending, and all I could do when he was on the ground was brace for the next rear. After about 20 vertical rears I managed to get him moving forward, I cantered to the indoor school and rode him for 30-45min without any further major incidents.
Afterwards he was like a puppy, his usual stalliony attempts at biting, kicking, or intimidating ppl on the ground were gone. when I handled him, he would be not just 100% obedient but also seemed to accept me as his ‘leader’ without any attempts to defy this.

The saddle is still used on him without any problems, with my work colleague, his rider, we worked on the rearing issue and precautions are taken to avoid a similar incident, he is now going nicely (the incident was last year).

This incident didn’t scare me. What scared me was the fact that I was stupid enough not to jump off. I wish I had been taught that there are situations when I should jump off! Although, I am not keen on jumping off on concrete, had no reasonable time on all 4 legs to make my mind up to do so, and did not want to let a very expensive stallion loose (in a yard full of horses).

2 lessons I learned:
Put your own health first! To do this you might have to learn how to jump off a horse safely.
Invest in high quality all leather seat jodhpurs; they may safe your life !

I wanted to know if anyone else has had a life changing, not necessarily injury causing, incident?

 

[AmyMay]

What scared me was the fact that I was stupid enough not to jump off.

Or stupid enough to get on in the first place, perhaps.

Very glad you were not hurt, or indeed killed.

 

[Wagtail]

Blimey! How the hell did you stay on through all that? I have had loads of horses buck but only ever experienced full blown rearing twice in thirty five years! I stayed on both times but they were single rears, one followed and proceeded by bucking, but both made me feel very insecure in the saddle as they were vertical, and I never forget the feeling that they might go over. I remember looking down at the fence and thinking, if she goes over I will land on the fence with her on top of me, and probably break my back. Well done for sitting all those rears!

 

[kinnygirl1]

Wow - you are so brave! Don't really have a story but must say that each time I have a fall (hurt or not) or even a near miss - I re-evaluate how much I really want to ride horses - this has got much worse since I became a mum! Always seem to end up coming back to it though.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

wow. One of my horses behaviour became increasingly worse until he had an episode similar to how you describe. After that I immediately booked him into the hospital for x-rays and to be checked over thoroughly, and my intention was then to really get to grips with it, and if necessary I was prepared to send him to a pro or even micheal peace - However, we never got that far, as it turned out he had kissing spines, and other issues.

My life changing moments have all been due to moronic car drivers. The very worst one was when an absolute moron swerved towards me, while slamming his hand on the horn, at about 60mph. He missed us by no more than an inch or two. There was a hedge on my side of the road, so no verge for me to dive into. I really was convinced I was going to die there and then. My horse stood like a statue. I don't know why he did, because he was normally quite fidgity and spooky, but he saved our lives. He also looked after me as we walked home, while I was sobbing and shaking all the way back.

 

[be positive]

I dont know how you stayed on through that, the last time a horse went vertical with me I came off down its back with my feet still in the stirrups, they had come off as it was on its back legs. I had no option to get off at the time as the stirrups made the decision for me, it was a hell of a shock and confirmed my dislike of rearers.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I think, if the saddle has big blocks it's relatively easy to sit to a rear. The major fear is that they'll overbalance and come down on top of you! I've seen a couple of awful accidents when horses have fallen over onto their riders after rearing.

 

[LaurenBay]

Or stupid enough to get on in the first place, perhaps.

Very glad you were not hurt, or indeed killed.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Glad you were not hurt OP!

I have had 1 very bad accident (I have mentioned this a few times on here, but here I go again!)

I was trying out a 16.2 18YO Ex racer for share. He was described as a plod and although I was a confident rider, I just wanted something to potter around on, so he sounded suitable. Tacked up and went for a hack, owner on a friends Horse. All was fine, until we rode onto some fields to cut back to the stables. His head shot up in the air (no martingale on) and was quite joggy. I spoke to him, circled and half halted to get him back to me. He was getting stronger and stronger and felt like he was going to explode. I was just about to say to the owner, he really wasn't what I was after, And he spooked. Spun and bolted off. And I don't mean tanked off either, it was a full on panic bolt. He went down a road (thankfully we didn't meet any cars) I tried everything! Giving him the reins completly, one rein stop, talking to him, leaning back, half halting, stroking him etc and nothing was stopping him. I did think about bailing out, but was too frightened to jump off a galloping 16.2 on a concrete road! This lasted for about 7 minutes, then the yard came into sight, I didn't think it possible, but he went even faster. He lost his balance and slipped, skidding sideways into a wall. My leg went through a concrete pipe, which tore of the wall and snapped in half (didn't even feel any pain though, guess the adreniline had kicked in) I got my foot stuck in the stirrup, so when he got back up, I did too! and off he went again!!! I managed to pull myself up into the saddle and was preparing to chuck myself off (he was heading for a very steep downhill road which leads onto a very busy 60mph road) he suddenly tripped, whilst his head was down, I yanked one of the reins as hard as I could, it worked as he changed direction. He galloped into the indoor stable block! luckily a few of the girls at the stables had seen me go in, and blocked off the other end! He came to a halt and I got off. One of the girls took him off me and began walking him in hand (dripping in sweat!) I rung the owner, to be met with a mouthfull of abuse. How I wasn't good enough to ride her Horse etc and how he was going to be lame again. When I questioned this, she told me that he had 6 months box rest and this was the first time he had been sat on! He hadn't even been lunged or anything!

I am left with a scarred leg and no confidence in open spaces! I will hold my hands up and say I was stupid! I should've watched him being ridden first! Lesson well and truly learnt. I will regret that decision forever. 3 years on and I am still building up my confidence (although I trotted on a patch off grass the other day, so I am getting there!)

As for the Horse, he has since been PTS, after a similar bolting accident with another rider. He also broke his owners back, when he threw her.

 

[Above&Beyond]

Or stupid enough to get on in the first place, perhaps.

I had seen him ridden a couple of times, he was as good as gold with the draw reins on. He was also considered one of the most well behaved stallions on the yard.

I never forget the feeling that they might go over.

I would probably say after feeling like I was going to go over backwards about 10 times I got desensitised to the feeling! However I was surprised the first couple of rears - when I was sure to be squished on the floor but that never happened.

Wow - you are so brave! Don't really have a story but must say that each time I have a fall (hurt or not) or even a near miss - I re-evaluate how much I really want to ride horses - this has got much worse since I became a mum! Always seem to end up coming back to it though.

I wouldn't call it brave, I think being encouraged after surviving dangerous situations gives riders the wrong msg, there is no shame with getting off - it might actually be the right thing to do!
When teaching, I've had a lot of recent mums saying about this re-evaluation of risks involved in riding (particularly jumping) affecting their riding!

However, we never got that far, as it turned out he had kissing spines, and other issues.

My life changing moments have all been due to moronic car drivers. The very worst one was when an absolute moron swerved towards me, while slamming his hand on the horn, at about 60mph. He missed us by no more than an inch or two. There was a hedge on my side of the road, so no verge for me to dive into. I really was convinced I was going to die there and then. My horse stood like a statue. I don't know why he did, because he was normally quite fidgity and spooky, but he saved our lives. He also looked after me as we walked home, while I was sobbing and shaking all the way back.

This horse had the best care, with frequent vet checks, back woman, saddle fittings, dentist, etc. so I wouldn't think it was brought about by any health issues.
Did that car mean to hit you?! sounds truly terrifying!

I dont know how you stayed on through that, the last time a horse went vertical with me I came off down its back with my feet still in the stirrups, they had come off as it was on its back legs. I had no option to get off at the time as the stirrups made the decision for me, it was a hell of a shock and confirmed my dislike of rearers.

Well when my stirrup came off mid rear I thought I was a gonner too! all of a sudden my base was just taken out under me! but as I said full leather seat jodhpurs may just have saved me.

I think, if the saddle has big blocks it's relatively easy to sit to a rear. The major fear is that they'll overbalance and come down on top of you! I've seen a couple of awful accidents when horses have fallen over onto their riders after rearing.

Indeed I think more than the saddle its knowing how to balance yourself in all stages of the rear - this will also prevent the horse from losing its balance and falling backwards. I've seen a horse break a mans femur in an accident like that :/

Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Glad you were not hurt OP!

I have had 1 very bad accident (I have mentioned this a few times on here, but here I go again!)

I am left with a scarred leg and no confidence in open spaces! I will hold my hands up and say I was stupid! I should've watched him being ridden first! Lesson well and truly learnt. I will regret that decision forever. 3 years on and I am still building up my confidence (although I trotted on a patch off grass the other day, so I am getting there!)

As for the Horse, he has since been PTS, after a similar bolting accident with another rider. He also broke his owners back, when he threw her.

Indeed hindsight! - it might teach us for the future though.
Being injured when trying a horse is a hot topic, therefore I think possibly many ppl have made the mistake you made LaurenBay! shocking story! What are you doing about the confidence issue?

 

[Copperpot]

Mine reared up and over out hunting and landed smack on top of me. I was very lucky the ground was soft and I sort of got squished in! Nothing broken but was battered and bruised. It was about the 3rd rear that day.

 

[LaurenBay]

Well I gave up for a few months, couldn't even bring myself to touch a Horse. My Friend (and now YO) asked me to come and ride her Horse. I gave it a go, but she had to lead me as I felt light headed and thought I was going to be sick. I agreed to share her once a week. 2 years later and I decided I was ready to get my own. I can now walk, trot and canter in the school fine. Walk and trot out on a hack. I am building up the cantering. I am getting there slowly.

 

[Toffee_monster]

I had a car accident 6 years ago, a drunk driver hit me head on at 60mph, his car hit the front drivers corner of my 4x4, it rolled over the top of me totally writing off my truck. The roof was caved in and the drivers area all squished in, however I am luckily only 5ft tall and I escaped injury except a little whiplash through the passenger door in a panic attack.

The police and ambulance crew kept telling me how lucky I was and the witnesses sat at a nearby junction were sat there for ages in shock before they actually called for help

It was a near death experience and I feel very lucky to have survived it, I was driving again a few days later, a case of getting back on or lose your nerve I think, although I am a terrible passenger nowadays

 

[lhotse]

I had what must be described as a very lucky escape whilst climbing in Switzerland a couple of summers ago. We were climbing as two pairs, my climbing partner was one of Scotland's best climbers twenty years ago but hadn't climbed for years and the other partnership consisted of two of his best friends. We set off up the climb, which is a 1000ft wall of limestone and pretty spectacular. One section runs through a sort of vertical gully. I was attached to the slab below, paying out the rope, when I heard a shout from above from the pair in front. One of them had stepped on a loose block which was heading my way. It split into several large blocks as it hit the bottom of the gully then proceeded to accelerate down the slab towards me.

The blocks missed my head by about six inches, I felt the air as they went past. The smallest one was about the size of a DVD player. Helmets don't help in those situations...

Needless to say, I was pretty shaken up by this incident, but we were only half way up the wall, and retreat was not an option. As we climbed onto the upper slabs, it started to thunder!!

It was a great climb, but the close call came back to haunt, me not on the remainder of that trip, but on one a couple of months later, where I started to question what I was actually doing and whether it was worth the risk. I haven't really climbed since, although I'm keen to get back onto some rock again.

The strange thing is, although I had close calls before, from avalanches, rockfalls and even an earthquake in the mountains, this incident brought home my mortality pretty quickly.

I must be getting old!!

 

[Above&Beyond]

Anything you would do different since that happened Copperpot?

2 years later and I decided I was ready to get my own. I can now walk, trot and canter in the school fine. Walk and trot out on a hack. I am building up the cantering. I am getting there slowly.

Well done! Have you thought about learning to jump off a horse safely?

It was a near death experience and I feel very lucky to have survived it, I was driving again a few days later, a case of getting back on or lose your nerve I think, although I am a terrible passenger nowadays

Very true! which is why when falling off a horse we're supposed to get back on. Luckily you had a 4x4!

The strange thing is, although I had close calls before, from avalanches, rockfalls and even an earthquake in the mountains, this incident brought home my mortality pretty quickly.
I must be getting old!!

I've heard of similar events, involving air lifting someone out though, I don't think climbing is smth I would want to do.
And it is strange how one event can have such an impact, while another doesn't, I don't think age is the defining factor. circumstances and state of mind maybe?

 

[Serephin]

I was horse shopping for my first horse after a long break of ownership. I had been riding a share horse for a few months and decided I wanted my own.

I have been riding since a teenager and had a few scrapes back then, but always got my nerve back and got on with it.

This particular horse was described as a genuine sort etc, just what I was looking for - got there and he was massive, and obviously full of beans being in a paddock full of grass (it was spring). She rode him in a sectioned off area of the field and then I did and he felt okay, a bit lively but nothing I couldn't handle. She then suggested the we hack him down the road to a field for a canter. I asked if I should get off and her ride him but she said, no no, you can ride him down the road. So off we went. Got down the road and into a huge field. She pointed to a track and said thats good for a canter, stop at the end and come back. Well this is where I should have got off and said, you first! But hindsight is wonderful isn't it and I was a bit of a noob at the whole horse shopping thing.

Anyho, the horse just took off - flat out, scary flat out fast. I panicked and tried to turn him with a little success, so we were now flat out across a field full of huge dips and ruts. My thoughts now, were *****, this is not good. He then stumbled and went down virtually to his knees - it was at this point I thought "this is how I die" , I thought we were both going to break our necks, but somehow, I have no idea how, he got back to his feet and carried on flat out across the field. He finally stopped a couple of yards from the owner. I slid off and sat on the grass in shock. She promptly burst into tears and told me how much she hated the horse and couldn't wait to see the back of him. Wonderful, I thought.

At the time my legs were a bit shaky, but I thought nothing of it. Told her I wasn't tempted to buy him and went home. It wasn't until I went to get on another horse that I realised I was a nervous wreck. I have struggled with my confidence ever since, whereas before I had never considered my mortality, but on the back of that horse when he went down like that I was faced with it out of nowhere. My life changed that day. But it taught me to never get on a horse without seeing the owner do all I want first!

 

[vickyb]

Above and beyond - you were lucky he didn't come over on you, but perhaps he'd had plenty of practice at rearing and therefore good balance! I know of someone who was crushed and killed by a horse rearing on a concrete yard and coming over backwards.
I have had a horse fall while rearing. Fortunately it was very muddy and she slipped slightly at the height of the rear and fell sideways as she lost her footing with her back legs, so I was able to jump clear. I was very shaken by it - the horse didn't seem bothered.
I had a near death experience last year in Florence. Crossing a road I was nearly mown down by a car - I actually felt it brush my coat. It was my own stupid fault, but it was going about 50 mph, and if I had been an inch further forward I would have undoubtedly been killed. The incident happened in a split second, but has haunted me ever since.

 

[Copperpot]

Above&Beyond, it wasn't a life changing experience lol. I never hunted that horse again. I got him off a dealer who said he'd been hunted. But everytime I took him he reared. The meet before he reared and his back end slipped over and i fell off. That particular day a man I know swapped horses with me after he'd landed on me. 20 mins later he'd done same thing but in front of a ditch and friend was lying in bottom of it. Hunting wasn't for him!!

 

[Ladydragon]

Life changing experiences… have you had one?
<snip>
I wanted to know if anyone else has had a life changing, not necessarily injury causing, incident?

A rather nasty brain bleed... I did have surgeons rummaging around in my brain at the time so they got to do the panicking rather than me... Pretty nasty motorbike accident when I was (lots!) younger and touch n' go with Mr Dragon when his transplant failed and put him in ICU for a few weeks... I tend to view 'near misses' as positive things to feed off though... A bit of a "woo hoo I'm still alive" and made it home today...

Life changing... Watching someone leave this world in a particularly cruel and prolonged manner... Tis difficult to see any beauty in Mother Nature when you realise she's a bit of a jerk...

 

[LaurenBay]

I thought of another, although this one is non Horsey. But has made a big difference in my life.

When I was younger I jumped off a log flume at Legoland! Doesn't sound as scary as it actually was! but I guess you had to be there!

My whole family went to Legoland, they all wanted to go on the log flume, I was worried, but was even more worried of missing out, so on I went. Went down the first mini hill, was terrified. When I was just about to go down the big hill, I got up and jumped out. My mum made a grab for me but missed. The boat then when down the flume. They had to close the ride and send a worker up to get me. When I was returned to my family, my mum was crying so badly! 2 years later, we went to Thrope park. My family went on the log flume and I decided I wanted to go too. Although my mum had wised up and put me in between my uncle and my dad. Which was a good call because I tried to jump out again! They pinned me down though. Have never been on 1 since. I can't stand any rides. I hate the feeling of not being in control. I look back now and laugh, but at the time it was scary!

The big difference was, it left me with a phobia of rides, I miss out on alot of family and friend days out to theme parks.

 

[Above&Beyond]

Above and beyond - you were lucky he didn't come over on you, but perhaps he'd had plenty of practice at rearing and therefore good balance! I know of someone who was crushed and killed by a horse rearing on a concrete yard and coming over backwards.

Yea he might have had plenty of practice. Also, as my work mate said she had gotten off when he reared once with her (when she didnt put the draw reins on) I think he might have thought he can get ppl off and get away with not working if he does so!
Thats some shocking stories! Seems like car accident or semi car accidents are scary to most of us.

Luckily it wasn't you lying in the ditch Copperpot!

A rather nasty brain bleed... I did have surgeons rummaging around in my brain at the time so they got to do the panicking rather than me... Pretty nasty motorbike accident when I was (lots!) younger and touch n' go with Mr Dragon when his transplant failed and put him in ICU for a few weeks... I tend to view 'near misses' as positive things to feed off though... A bit of a "woo hoo I'm still alive" and made it home today...

Life changing... Watching someone leave this world in a particularly cruel and prolonged manner... Tis difficult to see any beauty in Mother Nature when you realise she's a bit of a jerk...

Yea near misses can be a positive... like anything that makes us appreciate life more! We can hopefully live life to the fullest after.
Is that illnesses? I think its horrible to see that, but maybe also give you a chance to prepare for a goodbye. I know I was more prepared for ppl leaving like that and thus had time to deal with it and say goodbye rather than it happening quick.

When I was younger I jumped off a log flume at Legoland! Doesn't sound as scary as it actually was! but I guess you had to be there!

Its true though, rides are scary! I think they're rethinking some rides at ThorpePark with the help of psychologists to prevent more panic attacks on them. I had a panick/asthma attack when I was younger and am not keen on them either. There is worse things to have Phobias from!

 

[Doris68]

I have been riding for numerous years and then bred from my mare a few years ago. Her son was a bloody nightmare from the moment he was born. Long story short....he put me in hospital for nearly 6 weeks. I was mounting him in my school (he was just 4 & professionally backed) and he wouldn't stand by the block. I decided (wrongly now I know) that when he refused to stand that I should perservere until he would stand, as I thought I shouldn't let him get away with it! As I attempted to get on (after numerous attempts) he moved away as I was half-way on and I caught my right leg on the cantle and tipped over backwards and fell and broke the head of my right femur and fractured 2 vertebrae. The worst thing was (OK - I know - I was alone..) I lay in the school trying to get up (no mobile) and I shouted and shouted for help (rural location). Eventually and very fortunately, my neighbour's son heard and came to the rescue and I was then air ambulanced to hospital. The thing that haunts me to this day is....what if no one had heard me. I know that I should NOT have ridden nor attempted to ride such a young horse when I was alone, but unfortunately, despite a few friends telling me that they'd come and help - no one could make it - so I had no alternative but to ride him - alone! It was life changing, although I rode my old mare again, life was never the same...it was all about "What if...."
All OP's experiences are horrific and I admire anyone who can carry on as if nothing has happened. I do think "age" comes in to play - the younger you are, the easier it is to kick on and not consider the consequences.

 

[Above&Beyond]

That's a shocking story Doris68! How long ago was this? Something like that could happen to anyone riding any horse on their own!
You are right in that if you're younger it is easier to 'kick on', and physically the recovery is quicker if you're injured, but other than at a really young age - children, who lack of awareness of the potential dangers, I think at any age you can have experiences that impact you a lot. How you deal with them is in my opinion dependent on personality and circumstances.
Obviously as we get older we have more ppl depending on us, making the risk outweigh the joys.

 

[metalmare]

I once had a mare who was nervous in traffic spin and bolt alongside a bus, on the wrong side of the road. That was enough for me. I managed to eventually turn her into a wall at which point she spun and galloped back to her mate and had apparently tired herself out.

I am very picky now about what horses I ride.

I could have been seriously injured, so could she and there could have been a nasty traffic accident. Not worth it!

 

[fburton]

On a very trivial scale compared to some other posters and certainly not a near-death experience... My first fall from a horse.

Prior to this event, I was very anxious about coming off and breaking something, and this continual worry was inhibiting my progress in learning to ride. One day, I took one of the riding school's Highland ponies (who was called Bute) out for a hack in the row of connected fields at the bottom of the farm. After some walking and trotting, I decided to take him for canter. We were pootling along nicely at the side of a small burn when all of a sudden a duck flew up in front of us quacking loudly. Bute put on the brakes and I went flying over his head in a slowmo (it seemed) arc and ended up flat on my back, still holding the reins and looking up at a bemused Highland pony looking down at me as if to say "What on earth are you doing down there, you silly sausage?!".

When I recovered from a very mild winding, I discovered that not only was I not hurt at all, but a niggling back pain caused by my lifting a sack of sugar beet pellets the wrong way the previous day had completely gone! The revelation that falling off wasn't the terrible thing that I had built up in my mind had a wonderfully liberating effect on my attitude to potential accidents, and from that day my riding was much less fearful. Of course, one isn't so far from the ground riding a Highland pony compared to a 16.2hh TB; and of course, some of the subsequent falls did hurt a bit more than that first one. However, I think the experience could be described as life changing, albeit in a small way.

 

[Valadictory]

Neither a horse related one, nor a near death one here, but having a car accident which left me disabled completely changed my take on life, and I'm actually a far better person for it, I've learned such a lot about myself and am a far stronger and wiser person because of it

 

[stencilface]

Ah, the acconplished rearer - my old horse was very good at rearing. At first I fell off out the back door - I was 15 at the time. Then I learnt to sit them. But all I could do was sit, I was incapable of doing anything but clinging like a limpet If I had him now, I be far more proactive in riding him.

The benefit of hindsight and experience. I'm 30, and the stuff I know now I wish I known then. I wonder what I'll know in the next 15 years that I could do with knowing now.

 

[Janette]

My 'life-changing experience' was the death of our ex-headteacher. She had been poorly for a long time, and finally retired. She died 12 weeks later.
All her life she had put things off for when she was retired, then she had no retirement!

It brought home to me that life is far too short to put things off. Horses don't last forever, and neither does the physical/financial/emotional ability to be involved with them on a daily basis.

So now I leave work at 4pm whenever possible. I ride after work through the summer months (no arena, floodlit or otherwise for the winter months).
My class of children are making progress, my books are marked, paperwork up to date........

Why stay, doing 'make work' when I could be doing things which can't wait? Star won't be around forever....

 

[Doris68]

Above & Beyond...yup, you're right it depends on your attitude to life and several other factors. I was very determined to continue riding and I did, but not with the same verve as before. It was around 10 years ago and latterly, there was something subconsciously that made me "over-sensitive" to any reaction from the horse I knew well, that I was riding...very bizarre. Horses are still a very big part of my life and always will be...
There are many "if only's" in my little tale!

 

[Spottyappy]

Some brave brave people on here. My worst horsey scrape was one bolting towards a main road, just managed to steer him into the last field, without a shut gate, in time.
On the personal side, many health battles including a brush with cancer helps you realise your own mortality.
However, the thing that had the biggest life changing experience for me was when I was 18. I was working in a small village bank,with one other cashier, and we got raided by 2 men with full balaclavas, weilding shotguns, and forcing customers to lay on the floor. Not only my life,but that of the customers was in our hands. When you have that to cope with, along with looking down the wrong end of a shotgun, you suddenly realise life is very precious. Noone was hurt, but it changed me forever- for the better as I took on new experiences, and did far more than I would have ever done without this happening to me.

 

[Above&Beyond]

Finally some justice: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-horse-rider-jailed.html?ICO=most_read_module
I found this today, a man who attacked a rider with his car is jailed.

I'm glad you see your experience as a (relatively) positive one Valadictory! Did you always see it that way since it happened?

The benefit of hindsight and experience. I'm 30, and the stuff I know now I wish I known then. I wonder what I'll know in the next 15 years that I could do with knowing now.

That made me chuckle! I did ride an ' accomplished rearer' when I was 14 too, I think helped me learn to 'handle' it. Hopefully we'll get wiser as we age! I would hate to think I'll become dumber - I feel sometimes ppl do with age and experience.

All her life she had put things off for when she was retired, then she had no retirement!

It brought home to me that life is far too short to put things off. Horses don't last forever, and neither does the physical/financial/emotional ability to be involved with them on a daily basis.

So now I leave work at 4pm whenever possible. I ride after work through the summer months (no arena, floodlit or otherwise for the winter months).
My class of children are making progress, my books are marked, paperwork up to date........

Why stay, doing 'make work' when I could be doing things which can't wait? Star won't be around forever....

Wow, indeed had a 'make dreams reality' moment when I read this. There are so many things ppl would like to do or be and they spend all their life just dreaming about it - including me!

Doris68 I'm glad you stuck to the horses!

Noone was hurt, but it changed me forever- for the better as I took on new experiences, and did far more than I would have ever done without this happening to me.

Glad this made you cherish life more! What kind of new experiences did you take on?