Second Chance Horse Rescue Discussion Boards

jaylee · Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 74 Location: chidlow

About 5 years ago, when my otherwise beautiful, calm and well behaved t/bred gelding - Jed, was still in competition condition - we had been doing some ODE's and adult riding, I in my most stupid moment of blondness, decided to take him to a hunt (no foxes involved), needless to say he was firing on all 12 cylinders and covered in heat lumps, I could not dismount at this point as I could not get him to slow or stand still long enough, so decided that we would continue and he would settle after a run!!! Well, great in theory but the combination of a t/bred, the sound of the hounds howling and horses hyped up and the Hunt Master's horn was not pretty.
Anyway, off we went with me trying to restrain Jed from overtaking both hounds and Hound Master, he roaring like a jet about to land, me considering whether I would see another birthday. We approached a jump, gathered together my courage and drove him forward, when a crazy woman on the horse next to us decided to cross in front and jump first, her horse refused, she turned to reapproach and Jed had nowhere to go at a STRONG forward canter but UP. He propped so severely that he dug into the dirt about 6 inches and was almost vertical when he started to stagger backwards, I bailed out as I figured my chances of being crushed were too high. He tried to avoid standing on me, causing himself to fall sideways and striking me in the calf, - luckily his only injury was a strained shoulder and with rest and massage he bounced back, however he was very stressed about the episode. I was black and blue to the hip and ended up with a Deep Vein Thrombosis and a displaced L3-4 disc. On medical advice I should not ride any longer. Did however ride Jed again some 4 months later after basic recovery - still hurting, but did not want Jed tarnished with a bad reputation, as it was not his fault, but that of an ill-considered decision by me to start with - to take him to a hunt and an inconsiderate rider who did not look before she undertook action which could have caused all four of us to be seriously injured.
MORAL OF THIS STORY (FOR ALL RIDERS) - CONSIDER YOUR DECISIONS BEFORE YOU ACT FOR YOU, YOUR HORSE'S AND OTHERS SAFETY AND COMFORT. Rolling Eyes

robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 158 Location: Western Australia

I hope your all better now? Its doesn't say in your post (that I could see)

jaylee · Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 74 Location: chidlow

I am no longer able to ride, much to my frustration, but having said that Jed and I are both getting fat and enjoying our retirement - he is now 19 years old and still gives me great pleasure. I am suffering the after effects but you take the good with the bad in life and keep on going. Smile

robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 158 Location: Western Australia

I'm sorry to hear that....horses are great that they still love people no matter the owners situation. I hope life is kinder to you in the future Smile

wandowen firedance · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 270

Yep it is a bugger when you get older after damaging areas on the body - can't imagine how footballers handle all the old injuries later in life!