What injuries have YOU sustained from..................

[JadeWisc]

...............being in direct contact with horses?

I have had a foot broken once as a child when I was in front of a horse who reared and then came down......on my foot, minor cuts and scrapes here and there, a severe bone contusion to my right leg from a kick and my most recent was my broken little toe from being stepped on this week.


I know of many people who have had serious injuries and nearly died. My aunt was one. She was run through a barbed wire fence and nearly beld to death.


What about all of you?

 

[emmababes]

Nothing major like broken leg or anything like that... touch wood!! After about 15 years... xXx

 

[flowerlady]

Smashed left elbow. Still can't bend fully.
Arthritic middle finger on right hand. Achy bone especially knees. Normal I think for a life around horses.

 

[Ravenwood]

I have been so incredibly lucky - so far, probably shouldn't tempt fate!!

The only two times I have had an injury was hunting, once when a pony hit the top rails and somersaulted landing on top of me - leaving me with a split lip and eye and the other when a horse went down and over me resulting in a very slightly cracked wrist - but it was bloody agony hacking miles home on a stupid, excitable, jogging horse!

My daughter had a really nasty incident when she got bogged out hunting and as the pony stumbled she fell in front of her and got kicked in the face as the pony got back up resulting in a couple of lost teeth and lots of blood.

 

[kirstyhen]

I broke my shoulder the first time i rode my first pony, she bolted and ditched me over a concrete drop!
My second pony stood on same shoulder.
Have been kicked in the chest and knee, headbutted in the nose, jaw and chin by various beasts, people at school thought i was always in fihts when i regularly turned up to school with black eyes!
Current horse has fallen on left ankle twice, pretty much ruined every ligament and tendon in there! He also used my left thigh as a doormat after he got up from landed on my ankle.
Most recently a pony bit my knuckle and currently its swollen, bruised and hurts to bend!
Touch wood, ive not had a serious accident, and hope i never do.

ETA - Have also had my lip split in several places and in a pretty major way by pony biting my face! Luckily i was wearing a baseball cap and the peak stopped him from carving too much into my skin, still have the scars!

All the ponies that have caused these injuries have been my favourite ponies, and the too best horses i have had chucked me off the first time i rode them, one broke my shoulder and the other dented my pride!!

 

[PapaFrita]

I cut my hand on some risen clenches and had to get my tetanus jab done... the jab REALLY hurt!!

I've cracked a couple of ribs falling off a horse, but that's about it.

 

[JadeWisc]

oh dear! That would have been a dreadful thing for a mother to watch!

 

[DiamondISH]

Broken little finger...

I think I caught it in martingale when jumping a ditch!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

i have had 2 little toes broken
i had nasty concussion, felt weird for best part of a week!
nastiest accident so far was when i was about 12, i was getting on one of our mares and something spooked her and i landed on the JCB parked nearby, doctors were amazed i didnt break anything, as were we all, i was very very very badly bruised, my chubbiness as a child saved me from broken bones, my jaw has never been the same,nor my left leg, it was the whole left side of my body that took the impact

but not as bad as many others have had i am sure, but nasty enough

 

[Native Speaker]

Four cracked ribs (2 on each side from 2 separate falls), fractured elbow, broken toes, concussion (yes, I was wearing a hard hat!), dislocated fingers, split lip........And I'm still around horses?!

 

[Apalacia01]

Erm....lets see....I was thrown into a fence at 9 and split my chin open. At 14...I was kicked in the head by a huge mare, rusty heacollar that wouldn't come off, and concussed....and big ass scar above right eye...1/2cm from eye. Lucky.

Most recent one, first time in a new livery yard having lesson....went against side of school and said to instructor, 'oh, there is something sticking out of my knee'...she said..'don't be silly, I will come and pull it out....oh...doesn't come out...maybe get off'. Then I manage to snap a piece of wood in leg, feels really, really gross under skin (10 cm wood shard). GP has a go at it under local, goes 'nope, it goes across a tendon'..go to hospital. Two days later...general anaesthetic in St.Thomas' Hospital. For a splinter. Then vomited on the surgeon. I did warn him.....

So nothing too bad, but just gross. Heads bleed...a lot....

 

[Governor]

Broken arm, humerus was completely broken in two near my shoulder socket. I wasn't wearing a hat and fell amongst rocks etc. in the Montana desert so I was very lucky it wasn't a lot worse.

Its one of the reasons I dislike western saddles which have a rivet rather than buckle stirrup attatchment. The top of the stirrup leather was rotted/freyed and the leather came away from the rivets while we were cantering down hill. Severe negligence on the part of the ranch - they admitted to only checking their saddles for damage once a year despite being under almost daily use by clients.

 

[Stella]

I smashed my elbow (4 breaks) when I was thrown into a breezeblock wall! I now sport metelwork in the elbow and some variation of a wall plug in the bone of my upper arm to which the severed ligaments are attached! I've had a couple of cracked ribs. a cracked finger and wrist which I now have arthritus in. The ligaments and tendons around my ankle torn and the bone bashed. That still gives me trouble. Oh yes and a broken toe from being stood on. That still gives me trouble and riding aggravates my already arthritic knee. I have only had any contact with horses for 7 years!

Why do I do this again?

 

[enchanted]

I couldt help laughing reading some of the replies.. And people think horses arent a lovely hobby! Ive fractured my wrist when the horse took off 2 strides 2 early!! Had my head split open after being head butted. fractured some ribs. Had my chin burst open when the horse fell and used my face to help her get up. Same horse fell again but this time used inside of my thigh, taking all the skin with it. That hurt! And had to have my spleen removed after it was ruptured by a kick from a 13hh pony! In my defence though, i worked with horses full time so the odds of getting hurt were higher!!

 

[zelli]

hehe oh dear I would rather not think.... god knows how many bruises (worked with rescued horses for 5 years, kicks head butts, being trodden on etc were an everyday hazard really lol). Idiotically im one of those people that hate doctors, and so have never had injuries seen too. Im now left with a part of my foot which has no feeling between my little toe that the one next to it due to having it trodden on by a big fat cob who also felt the need to twist, grinding my foot into the ground, follows up by a little pony that stamped on it whilst it was still hurting from the first one. An ankle that gives way on me every so often, from having a clysdale pull me over in the mud, and whilst making his escape, trod on my ankle with a hind leg as he struck off into canter, and a thumb which clicks constantly and gets jammed at some point during the day on a daily basis due to my pony putting his head under the bar in a trailer and raising it rather suddenly catching my thumb between his head and the bar... plus the usual bad back that most horsey people seem to have, bad thing is im 20 years old, so something tells me my bodies going to give up on me long before i will ever plan to give up horses!

 

[DBrasnett]

I am currently VERY sore from falling of on hard ground yesterday. Big head ache, sore neck, bruised arm and ribs.

A few months back I fractured a vertebrate and tore a muscle from training for a marathon and riding at the same time (my Dr asked what part of "normal" did I think running 24 miles and riding 3 horses in a day was!!)

I had a carriage driving accident several years back that left me unconscious but other then that I was ok!

I have constant knee/back/hip pain, but that might be from years of Triathlon as well as the horses.

 

[apkelly01]

Where do I start!

1. I was kicked in the thigh by a gypsy horse.
2. Kicked by a horse while sitting on a horse!
3. Was kicked in the stomach by a TB, he was one I was sharing and maybe going to buy but didn't buy him in the end. Thankfully it was winter and I was wearing 2 jumpers and a thick fleece!
4. Now onto injuries sustain from my current horse Super, who I might add is "quiet"

I had only had her for 6 months when, due to saddle issues, she bucked me off and I managed to fall underneath her

She tried to jump me but her back legs caught me and she rolled me for a bit. Injuries from her - massive hematomas from my elbow, up my arm and down my right side. Cuts under my armpit from the nails on her hoofwall and bruising from where she caught me on my back. Injuries from hitting hard summer ground - fractured collarbone and torn ligaments in my shoulder - lovely

In Nov 06 she stood (and hopped) off my foot breaking some little bones - foot went a lovely colour!

For some reason she has a thing for standing on toes - bless her dainty, huge feet!

I've had countless falls, blisters, rope burns etc but nothing too serious (touch wood)

 

[Happytohack]

Ok - where do I start?? Chipped teeth, tooth knocked out, broken big toes, broken hand, broken fingers. Dislocated knee so many times, had to have leg realigned and knee pinned in. Was riding with friend who's horse was in front and spooked big time chucking her off, my horse spooked at friend on floor, chucking me into tree and dislocated other knee. When we eventually caught the two beasties, her horse promptly kicked me on the other leg. There are so many other kicks, bruises, bitemarks etc. over the years -

 

[Keltic]

I have had concussion more times thank i care to remember!! I had my right boob very badly bitten and now have large scar, when i went to the dr and said id been bitten he thought i meant by a mossi he got quite a shock when he turned round and horse gob size hole in my boob!!

 

[the watcher]

Twisted pelvis (that was the last time I did any serious showjumping) when the horse launched vertical - going up was ok but we parted company on the way down ( that one was all my fault). Fractured skull and broken finger from an overhanging branch that I just couldn't duck far enough under. Broken hip after coming off a bucking youngster, and over the years various toes trodden on and fingers injured.

I have dealt with a lot of rescue horses over the years though and those that had become too challenging for their owners, so in many respects injuries were anticipated

 

[DreamerII]

Broken the toe next to my big toe 4 times from various step-ons.
Damages muscles in my back from a fall onto a fence rail.
Knee cartillage damage (which is slightly arthritic in winter)
Concussion and swollen hamster face (with gum abcess) from being kicked in the face.

Constantly getting minor cuts/grazes and headbutted!

 

[doodles]

Hmmm, many many 'minor' injuries... collar bone, toes, ribs, dislocated shoulder, concusions etc....

... but my biggy ... I had a rotational fall eventing many years ago (before they were even termed rotational!) Horse landed on my upper body. Luckily managed to fall in front of a doctor, as I stopped breathing. Came to, pulled the airway out and wondered what the funny rattling noise was. Turns out it's my breathing

Got rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary (staff were amazing) and into intensive care. I had 20% lung function (lungs were full of blood) and all my ribs had 'sprung' from my breastbone.

Was attached to so many machines (including the one that goes 'ping'). All very surreal, and I didn't hurt until I was out of danger, and back in a ward. Then it hurt like hell... horse had also kicked me in the face as he got up - so had a superb set of black eyes...!

Luckily I was young and very fit, and recovered quickly. I was eventing six weeks later... mum and dad had to practically carry me round the xc to walk it.. but I was determined to do the last event of the season...!!!

Went on to successfully 3-day the horse...! Sorry, just realised how much I've waffled on...

 

[Halfpass]

I dislocated and fractured 2 vertebrae in my nech falling off when out hunting. I could so very nearly have ended up paralised or even dead. I spent a week in intensive care and went hom after 9 days. I was back riding again 4 months later although I probably shouldn't have been. i was very very lucky!!!
I have also brokwn various toes and fingers around horses but nothing else that serious.

 

[moodymare1987]

I have broken my arm and two little fingers at same time.
Also broken my toe. Have pulled all the muscle in back of my legs having landing on my knees when I fell off but that was it.
But thankfully touch wood never been anything serious.

 

[gigs]

Why do we do it anyone reading this forum who wasnt into horses would think we were barmy !!
Worst accident a kick which broke 5 ribs (my chest still resembles a cupholder ) and punctured my lung did 6 weeks in hospital .The odd broken arm and over the years several broken toes .

 

[amberbayo]

fractured my spine that was the worst still riding tho. i just landed funny

 

[dozzie]

Broken left forearm -both bones completely snapped, dislocated and elbow broken in 6 places. It was 3 days before they knew if they had saved the arm. Just an awkward fall as a novice rider. Was predicted 5% movement but got almost full movement back. Mainly due to riding a strong horse across country!!!Very good physio! LOL!

Broke right arm due to being kicked. One bone snapped and the other dislocated at elbow and wrist. made worse by negligent surgeon but got it sorted out by the same chap who had done my other arm 20 years previously! One day i will post the xrays!

Broken collar bone falling off a Shetland when learning to ride.

Damaged wrist tendons/ligs putting up a horsebox ramp.

Sprained shoulder after being thrown off into arena fence when my mare was having back/saddle issues. That took months to heal.She also threw me off and I landed on my back twice. Once she injured my sacroiliac- badly bruised but couldnt move for over a week. The second time I crushed my sciatic nerve. Couldnt get up! Really weird as I knew i hadnt broken anything but couldnt move!

Broken toes/fingers.

Concussion several times!

And my pride has been injured on more than one occasion!!!

But i have been riding for 35 years so not bad! I do find my knees and back give me problems and my right wrist is weak.

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

This is a crazy sport LOL

I've not injured myself too many times
> fractured 2 vertabra in my neck age 13 coming off on the road when horse fell in a ditch. Didn't realise at the time and carried on going to school etc... just thought my neck hurt cos I'd pulled the muscles. Oh to be young again

only disovered what had happened 6 months later from an MRI scan as was getting all these problems in my neck shoulders and arms.
> Odd broken fingers etc - most recently got into an argument with a leadrope and pony at a gate. Ouch
> Concussion last time was another leadrope/gate related injury where the horse got caught and ran backwards, pulling metal gate into my face. I picked myself up and ithought I was fine until I got to the field and was in such a daze I let 2 ponies out LOL
> Best one is an lumbar crush 18months ago coming off a crazy 4 yr old. spent 5 days in hospital but was teaching within 2 weeks and riding within 3 (although I managed to avoid mucking out for about 6 weeks

)

 

[zigzag]

Been fairly lucky

bad concussion once, numerous bruises etc from being kicked or stood on, worst injury is both knees which must have arthritis in them and seize if I ride for ages which came from standing on the edge of a ten foot

muckheap which gave way and I landed on both knees on the concrete apron, really though I had broken them the swelling was amazing and the bruising... maybe I should have had them xrayed but as I could hobble I took it they weren't broken

 

[Irishcobs]

Ruptured disc, 3 bludged discs, concussion, broken big toes. Varies cuts and bruises. In fact I think I get bruise every time I am near a horse, but I do bruise easily.