Re: RC: bit the dust........long

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Karen
For one thing, if the pain persists, have it checked out by a doctor---
I walked around for 2 weeks with a broken pelvis until I was to testify
in Court and went to lift my leg to put on pantyhose (don't wear those
much around the ranch) and couldn't move---- not up, not down. Mark had
to come and literally lift me into bed. I had 2 breaks in my pelvis
('and I had gotten right back on the horse after being thrown and
trotted/cantered until my back froze up and he got nervous with my
tightening up) Not smart--- I could have really disabled myself for
good.
So far as training again--- up to you. If you have any fear at all of
being bucked again, have someone else work with her for awhile because
she will pick up your fear-- absolutely. And then work with a calmer
horse to rebuild your confidence--- can be done--- I am proof. I now
know I am not invincible, though, and that sh--- happens no matter how
good a rider you are and how steady your horse. Just because a horse
bucks once and throws the rider does not mean that is EVER going to
happen again. When Fireworks bucked me after making it up this VERY
steep hill---- he was just so happy he didn't die, he forgot about me in
my two-point with giving him his head---- no one was more surprised nor
upset when he saw me on the ground. He ran over and hid behind my riding
partner's 14.2 mare (he is 16hh) and was a total angel on the ride back
(he usually was spooky at the bee hives, etc.) Never, Never bucked
before (just shied) nor bucked afterwards.
I really believe horses read "pictures" in the riders' minds and if you
don't believe my theory, try imagining the worst consequence and then
the best and note the difference. And I don't believe it all boils down
to the rider's level of body stress, although that is part of it. In
technical terms it is part of neuropsychology and Sybervision has done
extensive research on the and it is the basis of NLP--- a very
successful reprograming system for positive behavioral change (a
scientific Norman Vincent Peale).
Soooo think positively and re-program yourself--- this was a fluke, this
was a fluke, this was a fluke.....
Good luck
Bette

> Karen Sullivan wrote:
> 
> Okay guys and gals, I have a glass of wine in me to dull the pain and
> am hoping for opinions on what I should do next-here is the story!
> Endurance related hopefully in introducing potential endurance horse
> to trails.
> 
> Some of you know my mare Passion, age 4 and a half. We got her in
> March 99, as a really skinny, undeveloped filly, the daughter of one
> of our mares (we didn't breed), that had a wonderful disposition.
> 
> In the first year, we brought her back to good weight and health, took
> her on short going to longer trail rides, and introduced her to saddle
> and very short round pen lessons. We were probably on her back 40
> times. Never did she seem annoyed or irritated......took it all
> eagerly and with lots of treats and encouragement.
> She got trailered and either ponied, or run free on the trails at
> least twice a week. Wonderful disposition!
> 
> This year I started the roundpen lessons up again, and some very short
> trail rides, with someone to babysit me.  I did several rides of an
> hour to hour and half,  not asking more than I thought she could
> comfortably do, and often getting off and walking the rocky or very
> steep parts.........Things were going GREAT!!!!!  She had shown NO
> signs of annoyance or discomfort! She was uncommonly docile and calm!
> I was thrilled, "Hey, maybe I actually DO know what I am doing!"
> We had her moving off leg pressure, stopping and turning, both in a
> rope halter and light apple-mouth snaffle.  She had carried rattley
> and noisy stuff on her saddle when being ponied, no reaction to
> gun-shots, carried loose cans in a bag and used to dogs running along,
> with no problem!  She was trail wise and sacked out!  I was riding
> RELAXED AND CONFIDENT!!! She had also built up some muscle and balance
> to carry a rider, and go up and down hills.
> 
> Till yestereday.......my friend and I hauled up to a state forest with
> ridng trails.  The plan was to do a very short loop on this filly,
> with my friend babysitting; then we would do a longer loop on the
> older horses.
> We rode about 45 minutes.  I got stung lightly twice by some sort of
> fly or wasp, but not really bad.  The mare, Passion was a little
> annoyed by the dogs following, but no real deal.  We walked, trotted
> some slight hills, and a short canter. Everything was WONDERFUL, she
> never showed any goosiness, though she did kick towards one of the
> dogs once, but she is used to them.
> 
> At the top of a little hill at the trot, she slowed to a walk   GREAT,
> I thought.  A slightly tired horse will not act up.  I was going to
> get off at the top and hand walk her a bit, as she had done really
> well (quit while you are ahead), when I found myself flying through
> the air, hitting square on my pelvis on very hard flat ground,
> fortunately not the rocks.
> 
> Still not sure if she was kicking/bucking at the dog, or if she got
> stung. But, it was a high buck, with absolutely no warning.
> 
> I hit so hard I immediately developed a screaming migraine..........my
> friend hoisted me onto her horse and wlkaed me out......drove me
> home..
> 
> So...........now as a wimpy 44 year old, what the heck to I do?  Do I
> round pen her longer...........pony my kid on her back, send her out
> for training?  Or just get back on and try it again?!
> 
> I am not pleased she might have learned she could dump a
> rider...........This blows my two theories I had developed:
> 
> 1:  a tired horse will not spook or buck!
> 
> 2:  If you get over 50 rides on a new horse without anything bad
> happening, then they are pretty well trained and have not learned bad
> habits!!
> 
> 3:  I rarely come off horses (last time 7 years ago!)
> 
> Any 40-plus women out there care to give me their opionions on what to
> do?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Karen (very sore and bruised pelvis, but still breathing!)

-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com