So I fell off for the first time in 10 years...

[Nudibranch]

Actually "dragged off" would be more correct. One of the local farmers never repairs the bridleway gates and they are all a nightmare, some are now impassable, this despite the fact that everyone comments how good my mare is with gates.

As we were negotiating the final gate yesterday, said farmer came razzing by on his quad bike. There was a light breeze blowing and as we were halfway through, the gate collapsed (literally) shut onto us so that I was mightily squashed against the opposite post and then dragged off in a slow motion somersault. The farmer stopped to see if I was ok and then came out with the priceless remark, "Oh, is he worse in the wind?"

I managed to contain myself and politely point out that she's fine in the wind but for some reason doesn't like being trapped in dangerous gates... went completely over his head....

I now have the most impressive full length bruise on both sides of my leg - ouch!

 

[Shantara]

Ouch!! Nothing worse than dangerous gates!
There was one near my old yard. YO even offered to buy a new gate and set it up herself, but he insisted he would do it...a good few years later, it's still there :\

I hope you're ok and I hope the farmer sorts the gates!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Ouch, and how very annoying, sounds like it is a 'fall' that should not have happened full stop, hope your bruises heal soon and your mare is not put off by gates after that incident

 

[Adopter]

You make it sound like a slow motion movie, but it could have been more serious. What a good horse to stay calm in such situation.

Do you have a local bridleways officer you could get in touch with to see if they could get some improvement in the gates.

 

[Antw23uk]

Hope your ok and no long lasting damage to you both

I was so relieved when I fell of for the first time in 20 years. I got back into riding two years ago and it was just looming over my head 'waiting' so when I come off after a jump in the school although I hurt my knee I got straight back on laughing and so relieved I'd got it over and done with Now I cant seem to stop falling off, lol (joke)

 

[Hippona]

I actually think it's worse if you don't fall off very often......when you do it on a fairly regular basis it becomes run of the mill.....

Hope you're ok OP...

 

[Nudibranch]

Yes I have to agree, one of the first things that went through my mind was that the fall itself actually wasn't that bad! Nice soft mossy grass to land on