Ridecamp: Re: [RC] when a horse trips...

Adele...

Glad you guys are OK.  Don't know what I'd do without you and Awesome to
pace Sunny and I through those fast SE rides. You guys are the only ones
who stop at the water troughs! Be careful out there! Hope to see you at
a ride soon!

Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic

Adele Dennard wrote:
> 
>  I have to agree with Truman on this one for sure. I can definitely
> relate to what he has said and what others have said about the
> importance of wearing a helmet. Just 2 weeks ago my horse and I
> experienced the "trip" on a training ride. I can only go by what my
> horse looks like with his skinned up front knees and nose and my bruised
> and scabbed up right side, but we definitely went down and quickly. I
> have no recollection of this event because I was totally knocked out for
> about an hour and riding all alone. It took another hour for me to use
> my cellular phone and babble that I was lost  and to be discovered and
> taken to the ER. A week later I finally gained enough sense to carry on
> a conversation and stand without falling over. I can not even think what
> may have happened to my quality of life if I had not been wearing a
> helmet. My helmet is fine and not split open at all, but my neurologist
> said that just the impact jarred my brain and bruised it. I hate to
> think what my brain would look like now if I had not worn a helmet. I
> consider myself very knowledgeable as far as riding goes. I started
> taking dressage and jumping lessons weekly at the age of 10 and
> continued until I was about 17. I then took off a little over 10 years
> to go to college and raise my 2 kids. About 6 years ago at the age of 30
> I got started in endurance riding and bought my first Arab. Many times I
> have been complimented about my riding skills and balance at an
> endurance ride and I always say my parents money came to some good use
> after all.  My horse Awesome and I have also done great in AERC. He has
> made me proud. He and I have thousands of miles together and still he
> can spook and throw me at and given time. He knows better, but wants to
> keep me straight.  I can remember falling off about 10 times over the
> past 6 years and I have always bounced right back and ridden off. Most
> falls were from my horse spooking at moving animals on the trail and I
> always was able to hold onto his neck until I could let go at a safe
> speed. But 2 weeks ago nothing could have prevented our fall. My horse
> was not spooking, but trotting hard down the trail he is so used to by
> now and apparently just slipped and fell head first. I am no major ball
> player that can react to Randy Johnson's fast ball, but I do know how to
> stay on a horse pretty darn well. Accidents can happen people and
> experience can not  prevent a bad outcome- not even a helmet can prevent
> everything.. Years of riding horses and lessons taken for years can not
> help you for that split second it takes to hit the ground. Wear that
> helmet and be proud of it!! So what if you sweat a little more and get
> an itchy scalp from all the bouncing up and down. At least you will have
> another day to get on that horse and ride or experience the joys of your
> family. If you do not wear a helmet now, do it for your family and
> friends. I thank God that my kids and husband still have someone to call
> Mommy and hug at bedtime.
>    Thank you Truman for keeping this thread alive long enough for me to
> recover and reply and tell my story. I hope that  just one person may
> learn something from my story and wear a helmet. It really can be a life
> saver no matter how good of a rider you may be. I hope to see you all at
> SE rides in a few more months. Hopefully, Awesome and I can return  as
> our normal selves and kick some butt! Maybe even my new horse Calypso
> that I fell with 2 weeks ago will be ready to take over Awesome's job.
> Awesome can only dream for that day!!
>    Adele Dennard and Awesome
>    SE Region
>


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