Riding after a concussion

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nattyneddy

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Had a whopper of a fall on my youngster yesterday, and ended up being taken off in an ambulance in a neck brace. I seem to be ok, just whiplash and a bad concussion, but on bedrest for the time being (hence why I'm on here in the middle of the day!)
Anyway, I was just wondering how long you'd recommend to get back in the saddle? It's not specifically clear in the leaflet I got from the doctors, and as such I can't make a good estimation. Contact sports is not recommended for up to three weeks, but I wasn't knocked out properly, although struggled to stay conscious. I do trust my youngster; it wasn't his fault really that I came off (He spooked (this bloody wind is the worst!!) and then realised he had spooked into the path of a wing so very quickly jumped out of the way of that as ,unseating me) but he is sprightly and quite sharp (5yo warmblood). I have a friend who is happy to ride him for me but I'm keen to get back in the saddle.

Obviously after I get a new hat, I'm keen to get riding straight away but not sure how long to wait. I am prepared to wait three weeks if that's the best option but was just wondering what your opinions all were?
 
nattyneddy said:
Had a whopper of a fall on my youngster yesterday, and ended up being taken off in an ambulance in a neck brace. I seem to be ok, just whiplash and a bad concussion, but on bedrest for the time being (hence why I'm on here in the middle of the day!)
Anyway, I was just wondering how long you'd recommend to get back in the saddle? It's not specifically clear in the leaflet I got from the doctors, and as such I can't make a good estimation. Contact sports is not recommended for up to three weeks, but I wasn't knocked out properly, although struggled to stay conscious. I do trust my youngster; it wasn't his fault really that I came off (He spooked (this bloody wind is the worst!!) and then realised he had spooked into the path of a wing so very quickly jumped out of the way of that as ,unseating me) but he is sprightly and quite sharp (5yo warmblood). I have a friend who is happy to ride him for me but I'm keen to get back in the saddle.

Obviously after I get a new hat, I'm keen to get riding straight away but not sure how long to wait. I am prepared to wait three weeks if that's the best option but was just wondering what your opinions all were?
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Check back with your doctor - Last time I was concussed following a smack on the head by my horse I was not myself for a couple of weeks. I was not knocked out either.

You really don't need to risk a further fall because you weren't completely recovered.

Best place to be right now with the weather in the UK is snuggled up in a toasty bed.
 
Thanks all...luckily I have a friend who's a good rider and is happy to pitch in. I'll see how I feel after a week or two perhaps. Definitely an excuse to go to the saddlers and spend too much in getting a new hat...

And Tnavas; I must admit, the thought of not having to leave my bed today with this wind and rain was a silver lining in all of this. I'd love to go see them but not allowed to drive my car and no one can give me a lift-horses on part livery anyway so at least they're *done*, although I'm sure they'll miss their evening kisses (spoilt ponies).
 
Tnavas said:
Check back with your doctor - Last time I was concussed following a smack on the head by my horse I was not myself for a couple of weeks. I was not knocked out either.

You really don't need to risk a further fall because you weren't completely recovered.

Best place to be right now with the weather in the UK is snuggled up in a toasty bed.
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Agree with this.

I had a concussion where I wasn't knocked out, and was advised to rest as much as possible to allow healing time. This included avoiding watching too much telly, or reading (print and screen). I actually started to feel worse a few days into it and, like Tnavas, was not myself for a couple of weeks. I sometime joke that I am vacant, but I think I actually was during my recovery! Hope you feel better soon.
 
You definitely don't want to go back to early, i had a nasty fall years ago, wasn't completely knocked out but was not with it and like you rushed off to hosptial they told me to take it easy for a few weeks as was concussed blah blah blah was all i heard and was back in the saddle affter 4 or 5 days... Thought i was fine, clearly wasn't and when i was riding i felt totally unbalanced and not 100% my next memory was waking back up in hospital and had to take 4 months out the saddle as apparently my horse tanked and i ended up wrapped around a tree so i was informed!

Being concussed is certainly not to be taken lightly!!
 
I smacked heads with my horse on Saturday and have mild concussion. I turned around just as she put her head over the stable door. Felt crap all day Sunday and most of Monday at work. I did about 15 minutes walk and trot on Monday night and that was enough. Will try again on Thursday weather permitting.
 
The last time I was told not to ride for a month, as if I came off again the damage could be very serious and permanent. I did spend quite a few hours in hospital unable to sit up without losing consciousness though. Previously I have ridden straight away, but don't feel if you have truly had concussion that that is advisable.
 
I had a bad fall years ago and was knocked out and badly concussed. The dr. told me to rest for a few days, i rode a week later and think it gave me a headache for a while after? The nausea didnt leave for a few weeks and dont think i did the best with management afterwards, but wasnt told otherwise tbh. I would be cautious and rest and wait the 2/3 weeks to be on the safe side.
 
Sorry to hear about your fall;
Concussions are traumatic head injuries that occur from both mild and severe blows to the head. Some head injuries may appear to be mild but research is finding that concussions can have serious, long-term effects, especially repeat head injuries or cumulative concussions. A concussion is typically caused by a severe head trauma during which the brain moves violently within the skull. The brain cells all fire at once, much like a seizure.
In the immediate aftermath of a concussion, there may be some structural damage at the microscopic level with some cell death. However, the primary problem is a chemical one in the cells that have survived the incident. These chemical changes continue as he brain tries to repair itself which is why you may have symptoms of headaches, nausea, even depression.

If you get new symptoms you should see your doctor to probably have a scan and check for damage not seen at the time of your accident.
 
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