Riding horses is self destructive behavior

Lamehorses said:
Not all medical professionals are anti horse riding. After a stroke, caused by falling off a horse, my physio told me to start riding as soon as I felt ready as it would be good for my balance & co-ordination.
My consultant agreed at my 6 month check up I could start riding & never once suggested I should give up.
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Most consultants know we're a lost cause and will get back on anyway.
 
Dementia risks from concussion are real but both my grandmother and my mother contracted Alzheimer and were at very advanced stages when they died which makes me fairly high risk according to statistics I believe. My two concussions saw me knocked out for several minutes and in hospital for a couple of days. So far, at 76, I do not have any symptoms of Alzheimer or any cognitive problems. Life is a risk and statistics can be more or less badly interpreted numbers which tend to ignore many factors in order to prove somebody's point. And telling somebody they are being self destructive is judgmental and unprofessional.
 
Looking back I reckon I've suffered several concussions including being knocked out. Not all were horse related though (one I knocked my head in a swimming pool, another sledging). Only one of these did I see a doctor and that was the swimming pool incident.

I was put on horses & ponies from a baby and I actually remember falling off as a toddler/pre school on more than one occasion. Particularly vivid memories are sitting on my pony loose out in the field as she ate from a bucket, no hat, pony spooked at something, I fell off. Another was sitting in front of a teenage girl as she took me over the practice fence (only small) at a show and I fell off (she didn't). I don't remember her name but her pony was called Blackie. I did have a hat on that time but it was the old style velvet cap.

Anyway, I've been riding most of my life and I'm now 46.
 
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In 50 years of riding I've had two concussions, both of those I was unconscious for a while. I've broken a finger, one of the long bones in my hand, and my tail bone. Four of those were with the same pony, and for one of them I wasn't even riding.
All of these could have been so much worse if I hadn't been wearing a good hat and a body protector. Riding horses is risky but safety equipment has come on a lot since I started riding so that does mitigate the risk somewhat.
 
So I was one of those (stupidity) brave youngsters who would take on anything and actually advertised to do so with anything any dog and his brother had had a bit of a go at previously.

Being knocked out or breaking something was considered a bit of a hazard of the job.

Also remember being popped back onto ride after 'serious' falls xc to complete the course even when nowadays that would be completely inappropriate and a good thing too considering that you had no idea what was going on.

Concussion was not a 'thing' then, you were just supposed to suck it up and get on with it and were teased if you couldn't. Feeling a bit sick or other side effects was considered a weakness and you were scorned for that.

I'm so glad that things have changed, not only for us but also for the horses that we have a responsibility for and have to make decisions for on how they should be allowed to continue to complete if their rider has had some sort of injury that may effect their judg!ement).
 
in 50+ years of riding I have had one concussion - when I was 7 - that required a hospital stay. Turns out I also fractured C7 and T3 in the same fall but that wasn't picked up until years later. Apart from a badly broken leg coming off xc I haven't had any other significant injuries although lots of minor ones.
 
In over 60 years of riding I have never had concussion or broken anything, my last ride when I had a fall on to the road caused a bleed on the brain and because I was on blood thinners it was quite bad involving over 2 weeks in hospital , however in true horsey fashion, I drove myself home, fed the dogs, got changed then went to A&E😀 I have had to give up and I’m still finding it difficult as horses have always been in my life. The other worst injury was a dislocated elbow from being knocked over when bringing the horses in, that involved a ride in an ambulance as I couldn’t drive myself..
 
Thanks everyone for your replies! I have met providers who think I’m absolutely bonkers when it comes to riding, but this was the first time I had someone tell me is a form of self destructive behavior.

I was a bit taken a back by it. It’s not like when I ride I’m taking old rusty out for a calm walk around the arena.

@Alwaysmoretoknow thats my history with riding as well.
 
Several concussions, not all from riding, and one bad one that was - still have no memory of that morning, was knocked out cold and then babbling repeatedly for ages about my horse. It took quite a while for the headaches to go and my vision to settle. I now have short term memory issues, which are totally liveable with but I wish I didn't have.
 
Do these docs know what they’re on about?

I’d class self destructive behaviour as things like shooting heroin, having lots of unprotected sex with random people, drinking a bottle of whisky a night, cutting, etc., stuff you know on some level is quite harmful but you’re doing it to cope with some inner psychic anguish. That’s not why most people ride. I know when I get on a horse, my aim is to NOT fall off and get hurt. Sh1t happens sometimes, but I prefer to avoid harm.
 
I've been riding for 55-ish years and never been concussed. I've had a few slams to the head - went through a windshield in a car crash, been kicked in the mouth which broke and dislocated my jaw and lost a few teeth - but I must have a thick skull, not concussed.
 
@Cortez wow! I’m scheduling an MRI this morning so those results might be interesting.

@Caol Ila honestly I’d probably get better care with web md. It was so frustrating to sit there and listen to him .
 
In 42 years of riding I've been concussed twice first time also cracked my skull, 2nd time also smashed up my wrist. Have also broken top of arm/ shoulder, collar bone & chipped ankle bone. 3 of these were the horse falling over, one was a horse who decided to jump a metal five bar gate from 2 strides out and failed, the other was a hunting fall where I got seriously cut up hedge hopping so I don't consider I was trying to self destruct in any if them 😁 x
 
Nearly 70 years of riding and only concussed twice. Once at about 8 years of age but only in hospital one night. Second time a couple of years ago, went to hospital and had a brain scan and all clear, just needed a couple of stitches and then sent home with a stonking headache..

This week I have been told after another scan to see had I had a stroke after an emergency trip to hospital, that there is evidence of my last injury to the back of my head and it has probably been affecting my memory and balance. My family claim I have never been quite the same since that accident and I thought they were talking rubbish and told them so quite crossly several times. 😵‍💫 The consultant was horrified it hadn't been picked up on at the time of the accident. Doesn't give you much confidence in our local A&E.:rolleyes:
 
ONS did indicate riding was high risk which is one reason I delayed riding till I was 60 and my kids were independent. Yes, we know of 3 people killed riding or with horses, but what we didnt take into account was the type of riding being done nor the character of the horse.

When I rode from an RS I had roughly one fall a year and the girls who worked there told me it was about the same with them. When I started to share and hack solo, things changed. I never fell off my old share though she had a wicked habit of spinning and making for home and I have only fallen once off my current share. Risky to post this (touch wood) but one fall in 15 years of riding seems pretty low risk to me.
Mrs. Jingle said:
The consultant was horrified it hadn't been picked up on at the time of the accident. Doesn't give you much confidence in our local A&E
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I am sorry you are hurt. But when I hit my head in a bad fall, Dr daughter told me that the effects could be delayed. I wasnt in trouble for 48 hours but then went to A&E in great pain. Had the scans and had to stop riding for 6 weeks.
 
Winters100 said:
Only one concussion, but it was serious, and the effects lasted for over 6 months, during which time I felt dizzy every time I sat down or stood up.

I think a lot of medical professionals are somewhat bemused by riders. One doctor told me recently that he just could not understand the "crazy horse ladies", because even when they come with quite serious injuries, the first question is always "when can I ride again". I could only tell him that truthfully that this would also be my question!
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I recently had to take my (grown up) son to a and e. I pulled up behind an ambulance and started to try and get son out of the pickup-he was in a lot of pain, perforated appendix. The paramedic came over to help and said It's not a horse person is it? I replied no I'm the horse person.... Thank god she said, you lot never 'phone 999 and turn up with bits hanging off :D:eek::rolleyes:
 
Been riding ponies, donkeys horses since I was two years old. At around 45, I had concussion when I fell off my old Arabian, having had a disagreement with him about which jump we were going to go over next. He won and I went out the side door onto a hard sand surface. I blacked out for about five seconds, according to my instructor, came round, caught the wretched animal, got back on and went for a hack round the local Nature Reserve. Bit of a headache, but nothing else. Fell off a big youngster when she reared and fell on top of me. No concussion. Came off a naughty Welshie on a track, due to an extravagant spook plus handstand buck, caught him, got back on and was violently sick a bit later on. Years ago, I managed to hang on to Old Horse when he did a manic spook at his shadow cantering up a grassy hill, felt a bit off and was sick later. Carried on riding him on the premise that I'd started so I'd finish.
Don't ride now, as I have M E. It's affected my balance and when I last got on Old Horse I didn't feel safe. I've always aided by balance changes plus voice aids, so I didn't think it was fair to him to carry on riding him.
 
Twisted willow said:
I recently had to take my (grown up) son to a and e. I pulled up behind an ambulance and started to try and get son out of the pickup-he was in a lot of pain, perforated appendix. The paramedic came over to help and said It's not a horse person is it? I replied no I'm the horse person.... Thank god she said, you lot never 'phone 999 and turn up with bits hanging off :D:eek::rolleyes:
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I got kicked in the ribs and knew I'd cracked them but thought I'd better make sure that was it. Dr in A&E being a bit dismissive and I overhead the nurse saying if a horse rider has bothered to come in we need to take her seriously.

He then told her I didn't seem in much pain for cracked ribs (I was!) & she said oh she'll probably be back on her horse later today.

I don't think he'd dealt with many horse riders. ...

It was easier to ride than to sleep. Sleeping, coughing, sneezing all very painful.
 
Skib said:
I am sorry you are hurt. But when I hit my head in a bad fall, Dr daughter told me that the effects could be delayed. I wasnt in trouble for 48 hours but then went to A&E in great pain. Had the scans and had to stop riding for 6 weeks.
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Your daughter was quite right. I didn't have any side effects when I fell off for at least 20 minutes to half an hour or so. Very luckily for me there was an off duty policewoman on our yard who had seen concussion play out previously in the line of her job and just 'knew' I wasn't on the ball after my fall, she took me to A&E in her car, on the way I started talking gobblygook.

At A&E she knew the drill, shouted for a wheelchair, got me seem by triage immediately, by which time my eyes were rolling in the back of my head and I was saying "oh, Jesus, Oh, God, I'm sorry" over and over on loop, thumping and kicking the consultant and telling him to F off! :eek:

Blues and twos to Smethwick hospital which had a CT scanner (our local one didn't at the time) with an anaethetist in the back of the ambulance and an overnight stay in hospital. Three more days on an orthopaedic ward with temporary paralysed arm.
 
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While concussion should of course be taken seriously take the doctor's comments with a pinch of salt. Remember doctors call motorcyclists future organ donors
 
GoldenGlitterMum said:
Continuing to do something that could harm you doesn't necessarily = self-destructive behaviour!

Ask the consultant whether he drives a car, despite first hand knowledge of RTA injuries.

I've been riding 60 years next year. I've had many injuries over a long and interesting life but touch wood none from riding yet. Life causes wear and tear. Attaching guilt to that is unprofessional in a medic.
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This absolutely. I’ve ridden on and off, (ha!) for over 60 years. My worst accidents have been coming off a bike over the handlebars onto tarmac. If you are an active person, you will have mishaps, be it on boats, bikes, motorbikes, skis, hang gliders, horses or running on your own two feet.
 
Time for Tea said:
This absolutely. I’ve ridden on and off, (ha!) for over 60 years. My worst accidents have been coming off a bike over the handlebars onto tarmac. If you are an active person, you will have mishaps, be it on boats, bikes, motorbikes, skis, hang gliders, horses or running on your own two feet.
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It depends what you do and how much you do. And the type of horse you ride.

Of course some people are more accident prone than others and some hobbies are higher risk than others.

When I used to compete BS many moons ago, I got private rider insurance and I can distinctly remember the hobbies in the high risk catergory were riding, mountaineering and wing walking, in fact riding was third on the list ahead of rugby, abseiling, mountain biking, sailing and hiking, all of which I considered riskier. 😀
 
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I had a worse injury playing badminton* than anything I've had from horses, is playing badminton self-destructive?
* torn cartilege in right knee.
 
Birker2020 said:
It depends what you do and how much you do. And the type of horse you ride.

Of course some people are more accident prone than others and some hobbies are higher risk than others.

When I used to compete BS many moons ago, I got private rider insurance and I can distinctly remember the hobbies in the high risk catergory were riding, mountaineering and wing walking, in fact riding was third on the list ahead of rugby, abseiling, mountain biking, sailing and hiking, all of which I considered riskier. 😀
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Yes indeed, regarding type of horse and activities taken thereon. I suppose we all gravitate to a sport which we not only like, and are willing to try initially, but also feel comfortable doing and capable of achieving. That would rule out mountaineering for me for a start! Sailing I have done a little of, but there is huge difference between sedately sailing a biggish boat, say 30 ft and those racing dinghies where you are hanging off the side on a trapeze or whatever they call it. perhaps with sailing you are less likely to be injured, more likely to actually not be there any longer because you have drowned
 
I’ve been riding for 50 years and had two concussions. Mild concussion after a fall out hunting when I was knocked out. I had to get a friend to come and pick me up as I didn’t feel safe driving let alone towing.

I’m not sure about the cause of my other concussion as I was on my own and have no memory of that day. I was found in the field after going to catch my horse. I woke up in hospital with my leg in plaster (broken patella) and no idea of how I got there or what had happened. Apparently I repeatedly asked ‘was I riding?’ and ‘is Storm ok?’ For hours in A&E to much amusement. No idea what happened as I didn’t have a mark on me🤷🏼‍♀️
 
little_critter said:
It’s the wording that’s bugging me.
Yes, riding is a dangerous sport. But do professionals tell rugby players etc that participating in their chosen sport is ‘self destructive’
Im aware that rules etc are being brought in to make various sports safer, but the focus is on safety, not on chastising the players.
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If you've been following the latest re the rugby bodies being taken to court with regards concussion, you'd absolutely be saying the players were pretty much told to get on with it. One was laughed at because he could barely stand up post a head clash. The rules are too little, too late imho.

I think the equestrian industry needs to wake up and be acutely aware of what's happening in rugby circles, because other sports will start following suit and it's going to get very very messy. So little is known about concussion and brain injuries, especially in children, and it doesn't take much to get a concussion either. I genuinely wonder how many kids go to school on a Monday with a banging headache, post falling off their pony or a rs pony over the weekend, let alone adults heading into work...

For all of those you saying you;ve only had one or two across decades - those are the ones you're aware of.

BEF published updated guidance in Feb of this too, which is interesting https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk/assets/EXTRA_Docs/BEF_concussion_guidance.pdf
 
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