Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Helmets vs riding lessons (rant)

I agree with the lessons part, however I think some people are just better
at staying on a horse, because of body type, athleticism, confidence, etc.

My husband has never had a lesson, but I've taught him some basics and I am
amazed at the number of situations that man can remain seated in.  He's big
and he's athletic and has more confidence than me.  I, on the other hand,
have had years (7+) of lessons, been riding since I was 6, now 32 and till
come off about two times a year.  I've had my two times so far this year,
once the ground collapsed under the horse and the horse flipped (like to see
you stay on through that Lif) and just last night when my idiot, jackass
ex-racehorse spooked sideways about 12 feet (at nothing, in his own pasture)
and took off running and bucking.

I've had some killer falls, so far I've never broke anything or been injured
beyond bumps and bruises (knock on wood), but it has given me a healthy
respect for horses and a dose of fear, which may or may not contribute to
future falls.  I'm rambling here but I think there are cases where people
are just better at staying on due to their physical makeup.

C.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lif Strand" <lif@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 11:42 AM
Subject: [RC] Helmets vs riding lessons (rant)


> Quoted from heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx's message:
> >  There is an element of calculated risk.
> >  (BTW, I think I've come off of horses less than 10 times in my entire
> > life, and I've been riding over 40 years-
>
> I've come off a horse a few times - probably about as many times as Heidi
> over about as many years.  I'd say that except for a couple times when I
> was on horses that were intending to dump me by bucking their hearts out,
> each time I went off otherwise was my fault for not paying attention.
I've
> survived spooks, horses that stumble, minor bucking, the works, and
> sometimes I can't begin to believe I'm still in the saddle, but that's
> where I stay.
>
> I have actually only hit my head once when riding - never from a fall, and
> the once was riding someone else's horse.  I went face first into a tree -
> horse went left, trail and I went right.  I didn't happen to be wearing a
> face mask at the time; I did get a minor concussion and a nice black eye
> but no permanent facial scarring.  So much for helmets.
>
> This is a personal rant: I'm not impressed with the numbering of accidents
> or the horrors of head injuries as justification for wearing a helmet.  I
> believe very strongly that there's a direct relationship between horse
> accidents and level of horsemanship.  It seems to me that the level of
> riding ability has fallen over the years, not just in endurance but in all
> equestrian areas.  I can't stand to go to events and watch people ride any
> more.  I can't stand to look at most photos of riders in EN - it's
> embarrassing - but at least they're no worse than those in other equine
> publications.  Bad hands, bad posture leading to stiff horses with off
> balance riders that fall off a lot.  So what's recommended?  Get a
> helmet!  Oh please!
>
> Two words:  Riding lessons.
>
>         _________________________________________________
>                                Lif Strand * Quemado NM USA
>            STRAND ENTERPRISES * www.fasterhorses.com
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>
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