Please, I just need a hug ... hack today ended with an ambulance

I'm sorry you had a bad hack but I am going to go against the grain here... If (?) this was an organised motor x/scramble then it's most likely they were purely concentrating on handling their own bikes and getting round safely. It's a sport, in the same way as ours is, and theirs is very time dependent.

I've been to lots of these events and some of the guys get some serious injuries and it probably just didn't occur to them to be concerned...it's part and parcel for their sport. If they were riding laps they couldn't just stop, itd throw the entire event, so perhaps someone told an organiser as they were time checked....
If it was an organised event then I don't see what they could be reported for. Everyone needs to share space and live and let live :)
 
Thank you - I'm so glad you are all online, and sending me such nice messages. I can't tell you how much it helps.

We will phone the non-emergency police line tomorrow and explain, and see what advise they can offer before I go down there and see if I can find them again. We had a phone call this evening from a neighbour who lives near where we have our horses - she was calling us as she'd seen us ride out, then saw me and a stranger rush them into the field on foot and rush off again, so she was worried. When I told her what happened she said she knows it's the land-owners son who is into off-road bikes, and he and his mates ride in the field. They must do it regularly as they've got dirt jumps and tracks, but we've never seen them there before (just chance timing I suppose) and the landowners also use the field to graze sheep.

The only thing I'm wondering from a legal/illegal perspective, is if they can use an agricultrual field for that? For example, we as horse-riders have to get change of use from agricultural to equestian use if we want to ride in a field with any regularity.
 
Phoebe said:
I'm sorry you had a bad hack but I am going to go against the grain here... If (?) this was an organised motor x/scramble then it's most likely they were purely concentrating on handling their own bikes and getting round safely. It's a sport, in the same way as ours is, and theirs is very time dependent.

I've been to lots of these events and some of the guys get some serious injuries and it probably just didn't occur to them to be concerned...it's part and parcel for their sport. If they were riding laps they couldn't just stop, itd throw the entire event, so perhaps someone told an organiser as they were time checked....
If it was an organised event then I don't see what they could be reported for. Everyone needs to share space and live and let live :)
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I too have had motor bikes for years and marshalled at events. If it had been an organised event they wouldn't have put a track that close to a fence and road. I hope an organised event would have stopped and helped at an incident they had helped to cause anyway. If not its no wonder the sport has such a bad name. And it certainly does around here.
 
Phoebe said:
I'm sorry you had a bad hack but I am going to go against the grain here... If (?) this was an organised motor x/scramble then it's most likely they were purely concentrating on handling their own bikes and getting round safely. It's a sport, in the same way as ours is, and theirs is very time dependent.

I've been to lots of these events and some of the guys get some serious injuries and it probably just didn't occur to them to be concerned...it's part and parcel for their sport. If they were riding laps they couldn't just stop, itd throw the entire event, so perhaps someone told an organiser as they were time checked....
If it was an organised event then I don't see what they could be reported for. Everyone needs to share space and live and let live :)
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I appreciate the point you are making - but definatly not an organized event. There were even still sheep in the same field that were running in a panic into the fathest fence becuase of the noise. And they had been stood about just chatting for at least 10 minutes (it's a long road and we could see them from the top), so there was no time-constrants that we could see.

I do appreicate that everyone has different sports/interests/hobbies, and it is possible for us to all enjoy what we want to without injuring someone else.

We do have an offical dirt-track for this quite near where we live, and they have regular 'meets', but this was not that at all.
And what the neighbour has now told me (about it being the land-owners son and his mates) fits with what I preceive the overall situation to be.
 
rockysmum said:
I too have had motor bikes for years and marshalled at events. If it had been an organised event they wouldn't have put a track that close to a fence and road. I hope an organised event would have stopped and helped at an incident they had helped to cause anyway. If not its no wonder the sport has such a bad name. And it certainly does around here.
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Thank you Rockysmum - to me I thought that said a lot - that they didn't stop to see if they could help and just kept riding so close to the ambulance.

I just wish I could say to the person 'please just wait 30 seconds next time', please please please :(

We also had no choice but to ride that way - it's our only road home, so it's not even like we could have turned back when we saw them (they weren't there when we went out), but also as they were only stood around chatting it seemed fairly safe.
 
Huge hugs, I was terrified myself just reading that.

Maybe it's worth going back to the field next time the bikes are there and having a quiet chat with any adults there or if anyone's organising the event or in charge just so they can point out to the lads that it's not great to rev bikes, spin, jump etc that close to horses on the other side of a fence - I guess through a hedge they may not see or hear riders over the noise of the bikes but at least if they can they would know to pause and wait quite a bit longer until the horses and bikes are farther on their way so the sudden noise doesn't lead in future to a much more serious accident. Or if they do see you alongside maybe ensure you can give them a halt signal until they kill the bike and you can call/ask them to do that.

If it's a very unorganised event it might be worth talking to landowner too and as it was an issue that led to ambulance/hospital maybe the local PCSO or local council. Not to cause high dudgeon between groups but just so there's some awareness.
 
How horrible for you, hope your husband heals very soon.

I agree that whoever it was needs educating in horses.

Regardless of whether it was an organised meet or not, seeing someone being involved in an accident as a direct result of your actions whether it be a sport or not and not going to see if that person is ok is quite shameful. There is no excuse, surely being timed is secondary to someones life?

As it seems it wasn't an organised meet, hopefully the landlord will deal out some sharp words to those involved.
 
Just wanted to add, we came across 2 off roaders on motorbikes whilst hacking out the other day. As soon as they spotted us, they turned their engines off and shouted out they would wait a while as they didn't want to scare the horses. It was a good 10 to 15 mins before we heard them starting the engine in the distance.
 
Syrah said:
Just wanted to add, we came across 2 off roaders on motorbikes whilst hacking out the other day. As soon as they spotted us, they turned their engines off and shouted out they would wait a while as they didn't want to scare the horses. It was a good 10 to 15 mins before we heard them starting the engine in the distance.
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I know this is how it should be - and can be, but it's all just chance depending on the person (as is the case with most things).

Only today - quite early on in the ride, we were in the woods and an off-roader bike rider came up a track behind us on his bike, he wouldn't have been able to pass easily as the track was very narrow with high hedges, so he cut his engine, waited until there was a good distance between us, followed us up and when we got to a wider section where it joins another track, we had the opportunity to be considerate also and we stood in so he could go by. He then rode by slowly, we lifted our hands and smiled to thank him, and he lifted his hand back. Everybody happy, everybody safe. The majority of people are normal considerate people, it's just a few that make things very scary.
 
How awful for you all! Pleased to hear you, hubby and horses are relatively ok considering what could have happened.

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and sending you a big hug and a stiff drink xx
 
We have a motor-cross course about a mile from us. Have to disagree with Rockysmum. It is totally legal, is used for the statutory 6 times per year, and is separated from the lane only by a hedge. Our horses get quite aerated when they see, over the top of the hedge, the bikes 'jumping' the mounds.

I think that one just has to get used to sharing the countryside with other pursuits. Also within a mile of us is a clay pidgeon shoot and a model helicopter/plane field. That is REALLY scary, as the little drones come buzzing over the hedge sounding like tiny lawnmowers.

Anyway, that aside, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's accident. Really scary for you and it gives your morale, apart from your body, a big jolt!

I also admire you for putting it on the forum. I had a similar sort of accident before Christmas and longed for a bit of comforting (not that friends weren't wonderful) but felt goosey about telling you all! Pheasants in hedge startled my horse, she bolted, I caught my leg behind the knee of the friend I was riding with and that pulled me out of the saddle. Then the same scenario - unconscious (they tell me)>First Response chap>ambulance>third rider with us going into shock (big help that was)>various kind people getting our horses home as Rider 2 came in the ambulance with me>all the poking about and being asked what day it was and who the PM was (I was fairly certain it was Edward Heath)>the creeping around like your poor hubby feeling totally decrepit.

You will, you MUST, both get over it and try to put the fright behind you. I think it would be worth going along on foot when these guys are next out with their bikes and perhaps having a chat about what happened. I've never found bikers anything other than charming, and we often meet them on the byways round here.

And finally, well done you for staying on. Lots of Brownie points for that!
 
Hugs hunny.

It might be a bit late, but a warm Radox bath for the aches and chocolate for the shock.

Cam only begin to imagine how scary that was. I hack out with D1, so it's always in the back of my mind.

We meet quite a few bikes and so far they have all been remarkably good. Think there was one once that another biker had to reprimand, but other than that, they're grand. I only wish your lot had been.

I hope your hubby heals quickly and well.
 
Glad to hear that hubbie is going to be ok. Watch the head injury though, I had a nasty accident just over a month ago, and it took me a month to get over the concussion, and they told me not to ride for a month, as if I had hit my head again it would have been very serious.
Contact the council and find out what usage there is on the land. They need to have change of use for agricultural land if they are doing that sort of thing. I am a live and let live person, but they caused a serious accident, which could have been fatal, so as they were so unconcerned I would follow up whether or not they are allowed to be doing this.
Just shows why everyone should wear a hat.
 
That's horrendous for you thank goodness there was some decent people about to help you. The what ifs are always the lingering problem but they do fade in time just keep telling yourself they didn't happen you coped with everything and you were all ok. I don't know what gets into people for the sake of a minute why are they so inpatient. You're probably feeling even more shaky today so taller out easy
 
I am so glad neither of you was more seriously hurt! The whole thing sounds like a nightmare from beginning to end! I have also been carted off with a loose horse next to me on the road and it was the longers 5 minutes of my life! Very scary stuff.

As for the motorcyclists, they should have been more careful to begin with, but you could just about excuse this out of ignorance. Not coming out to check on your husband though is entirely inexcusable! What is wrong with these people? Are they literally psychopaths? How can they see someone lying injured in the middle of the road, not to mention because of an accident they caused, and not come out to help?

I have no idea if the police will be able to do something, but I hope they can.
 
I'm sitting here with sweaty palms and feeling slightly sick just from reading your post, it must have been a gazillion times worse for you, what an awful thing to happen. It's unbelievable that the bike riders just carried and didn't offer to help. Terrible. Big hugs to you and your husband this morning, hope you're both feeling a bit better....and your horses too, I expect they might be a bit stiff today. X
 
zaminda said:
Glad to hear that hubbie is going to be ok. Watch the head injury though, I had a nasty accident just over a month ago, and it took me a month to get over the concussion, and they told me not to ride for a month, as if I had hit my head again it would have been very serious.
Contact the council and find out what usage there is on the land. They need to have change of use for agricultural land if they are doing that sort of thing. I am a live and let live person, but they caused a serious accident, which could have been fatal, so as they were so unconcerned I would follow up whether or not they are allowed to be doing this.
Just shows why everyone should wear a hat.
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This
 
I'm all for live & let live, share the countryside etc - I regularly hack slong the outside of a large Clay shooting competition centre, used to hack alongside one of those tracks where you can drive very fast cars & just seen it as part of life. BUT to not stop when there has been a serious accident & someone is lying unconcious, even if you were totally uninvolved, is bang out of order - organised competition or not. I would be contacting the landowner to make quite sure he knew, in no uncertain terms, exactly what had happened and what the consequences could be if your husband doesn't make a complete recovery.
And I really can't believe that seroius competitors in any risk sport would have so little regard for a fellow human as to not suspend the action in these circumstances. Would they carry on whizzing round a fellow competitor while the paramedics worked on him - of course they bl**dy wouldn't!
 
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what a terrible experience for all of you, i hope your husband recovers soon. As others have said contact the landowner to complain, you could prevent this from happening again to someone else.

It would also be worth reporting this accident to the BHS as they keep a log of all horse related road accidents.
 
How are you all this morning, hope you are feeling better.

I actually agree about sharing the countryside, the off road bikers are just a particular annoyance because of their lack of manner in many cases. Perhaps its because we are too near a few major cities.

We also have shoots and other activities in the area, but they publish dates so you know when to avoid them. Other activities stay in a particular area so you ride there at your own risk.

The bikes just seem to go anywhere and everywhere, totally disregarding the law. They even ride these unlicenced, uninsured vehicles on the roads to get from one piece of moor to another. The police occasionally try to do something about them, but cant follow in a police car. I think the only ones they catch are when they wait for them to return to their illegally parked cars and trailers.
 
How terrifying, just reading that brought a lump to my throat!

Glad you will both be ok, so sorry for your fright. Round here we are lucky with scramblers and their riders, they generally stop, turn their bikes off etc. But as we live in a very rural area, the horses don't always seem overly bothered as they must hear the bikes from their fields often.

I'd be inclined to put up a polite note on the field gate where they were, in the tone of "i know you didn't mean to frighten us but you did would you please do X in future when you see horses, thanks a lot" it can't make matters any worse, surely? Gentle hugs to you both.
 
sorry to hear about your accident - hope you are all ok. motorised bikes are the bain of my live - in the forest we ride in they tear about and we have had a couple of incidents although not as scary as yours - it is illegal for them to be in the forest but difficult to enforce - i would report it to the policy anyway and see if they can have a word - can't believe they just carried on afterwards or maybe i can !
 
I do hope that you are feeling a little better this morning, sore and angry I expect. I think it has all been said, police landowner then possibly the louts themselves but dont put yourselves or the horses in any danger thro anger, you sound too sensible to do that. all best wishes to you and your husband, hope it doesnt put either of you off riding
 
Belated hugs to you . . . no wonder you are so shaken - that sounds very, very frightening. Very well done for staying on and keeping the horses safe - and how lovely to hear about all the kind people who helped you and your husband.

As for the "what ifs" - well, they're perfectly natural and normal, but please don't let them stay in your head too long. Be kind to yourself for a few days . . . go up and groom the horses, spend time with them and reassure yourself that you are all four alright. Try and focus on the positive outcome. And breathe.

So glad you are alright . . . and I hope you are both back in the saddle again soon.

P
 
Lord, what an awful experience for you both! I hope your husband recovers quickly. And you, what an awful shock! Can't believe the motorcyclists carried on, whilst the paramedics were treating your husband ! Try not to dwell to much on what might have been. Easier said than done I know. Big hugs for you both.
 
Big hugs to you both, it must have been terrifying at the time.

My daughter used to have a motorbike to be able to get to and from the yard - only a little one (more like a blender noise than anything) and on more than one occasion she was overtaken by other bikes at speed when she had stopped to let a horse pass by.

On another note - if anyone has been to the Herts County Show in recent years, do you remember the bikes that do a display in the ring next to the show jumping arena - only separated by the tent - our friends horse was distracted by seeing them in the air above the tent - as well as the 'dancing tractors/forklifts.

Not in any way to excuse or condone the appalling behaviour of these bikers - it may be that if they have seen one of these bike displays take place really close to a showjumping competition that they may not have realised the problems that they could cause - though I must admit I seriously doubt it

Hope your OH gets better soon - and that you recover from the shock - chocolate is the best cure!!
 
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