Sunday Night Stinging Nettle Drama

Christmas Crumpet

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Drama at 6 p.m on a Sunday night to say the least.

Went for a ride with OH, horses and dogs. All fine until, I think, Happy got stung by some stinging nettles because he went from being very calm to suddenly behaving like a wild mustang. I got off in the wood because there were lots of rabbit holes and I felt quite unsafe. Perhaps, in hindsight, I should have just held on but he was rearing and spinning round etc and I was a bit concerned. Then we got into field of barley and OH got off to give me a leg up – no way I could have got on on my own with horse spinning round wildly. Legged me up a bit awkwardly and let go of reins. Couldn’t get my stirrups as horse was spinning round so fell off and let go of horse. OH had his reins looped over his arm and buckle gave way as Bog wanted to chase Happy so both horses disappeared off across estate at high speeds across fields of ploughed, very flinty earth. Managed to locate them by Highlands. OH couldn’t catch them for love nor money. I eventually caught up with them and whistled to them. Caught Bog first and then Happy. Happy covered in blood. Bog absolutely fine. Lost one rein and one stirrup (same one as the one that came off when I broke my leg in Jan out hunting – think I’ll get saddler to check stirrup bar when she next comes to make sure its ok). Also lost a terrier. So I had to lead Happy home and Chris got back on Bog to go and find lost dog.

Happy got about 10 cuts inc. one on the inside of his hock. Hopefully all superficial but has a big fetlock today. Legs a bit filled but not too major I’m hoping. Bogman got nothing wrong at all as far as I can gather. Looks like Bog will be sole horse for a week or so!! Happy walking sound so can’t be too bad. That's the difference between a MW hunter and a TB!!!

Just makes you realise that no matter how safe a horse is, something silly like being stung can cause complete drama. My shoulder and arm quite achy but am chuffed I fell off and didn’t break leg again. My bra snapped which made us laugh. I'm getting married in 6 weeks so really don't want another episode like that in case I do break something again and have to go down the aisle in plaster. Happy is normally totally bombproof and I never worry about anything on him. Just goes to show how complacent you can get!! He has never ever behaved like that in the 2 years I've had him. Quite scary.
 
Poor you, sounds like we both had eventful hacks yesterday! Never heard of a bra snapping before! lol

Are you sure it was nettles? I ride through nettles all the time and have never had a problem. Might be just worth going back there and checking in the bushes on foot to make sure that it wasn't anything else that caused the drama.
 
To be honest - I'm only assuming it was nettles because he got stung about 2 years ago when he fell over in the field and he went totally and utterly bonkers. He is very thin skinned and the way he was behaving last night was pretty similar. Not only that but my dog who is tough as old boots came riding with us and she spent all night on the bed biting at her legs and feet and rubbing her body furiously all over the duvet like she was itching. Something clearly stung her and the horse.

The bog horse, although sensitive to shampoo etc, seems to be able to wander through nettles and isn't bothered.
 
How terrible, maybe just a very stingy nettle.

You poor horse has my sympathy, I was once caught short in the woods while out on a long walk, went behind a bush, toppled over and ended up sitting bare bottomed in a nettle patch!
 
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