A girl and her helmet...

Helmets are an important thing...whether it is bicycles, motorcycles, skydiving or horses they are a necessary part of your regalia to keep you safe. 
Friday afternoon I was taking a nice easy ride on my horse Smooch. Not asking much, no contact, just easy gaits with no pressure. Down we went. Both of us. She stumbles and when I saw her nose hit the ground, I bailed off knowing she could not recover.
I work for veterinarians and am constantly around horses. I preach tirelessly to kids about the importance of the helmet. Many riding academy's and boarding facilities will not let you ride without your helmet. A VERY smart practice for sure. 
I did not have my helmet on....my stupid attitude of "It won't happen to me" got in the way. But it did. 
I am to old to hit the ground that hard. 
At the time I was much more worried about Smooch. She stayed on the ground for what seemed like an eternity. It was realistically about 60 seconds. When she did get up she would not put weight on her right front leg, her ear was bleeding and she had a big raspberry on her left shoulder. By coincidence my friend and equine Veterinarian Liz was on her way to my house. We had Smooch treated within 10 minutes of the fall. She was given medicine to ward off swelling and medicine for the pain...She had standing wraps on both front legs and her cuts were treated...Now we wait. With Horses it will be 24 hours more or less before the actual problem will show up.
I, on the other hand felt amazingly well. I had a good scrape on my left elbow and I thought that was about it. WRONG... within an hour a bruise was forming on my left hip and my left thigh was killing me...24 hours later I could hardly turn my neck and my shoulders were around my ears and would not go down...they were like stuck. The pain was intense and uncomfortable. Nsaids to the rescue...Today is day 3 and I am better...Pretty stiff but I am going to live. 


Smooch, I am SOOO happy to report is doing great. Being able to treat her so quickly had huge benefits! Today she is walking normal and is sound at the trot.
I am so lucky my head was not injured in the accident...SOOO lucky. That being said
The helmet is the most important weapon you have in your arsenal to keep you safe.
Please everybody...Protect your Head.

1 comment:

  1. oh man..that was a close one...sammy tripped in a gopher hole when i was riding him at a gallop and went down on his nose too..i ALMOST went over his head...but at the last minute told myself to try and push myself up...i did..i have no idea how...no helmet either...i always wonder what would have happened if i went over...he was a BIG horse.... i always wonder...

    glad to hear you and smooch are o.k.

    me

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