Today I learned a valuble lesson.

[allie0]

Today was like any other day, I went out to ride and rode Samson in the arena bareback. Bit windy and he was a bit spunky but everything was going okay, as you'd expect. We came up the top corner and he was going kinda fast (canter) and I was quite far forward and slipping, fast. It all happened really quickly then.

He either spooked/stopped/ or turned suddenly and I went flying. Landed on my head and neck, so strangely. I honestly thought I was going to die. If any of you have heard of Jessica Forsyth, that was all that was running through my head. I thought when I hit the ground that was lights out.

I can't remember much, but I staggered up and started screaming. God bless the donk, stood beside me. I somehow made my way over to my phone, which I'd left in my jacket in the bench near the arena. I took it and called my dad, and I remember after he'd hung up, crying into the dead phone for a few minutes.

My hat saved me. I recently bought a Charles Owen GR8 and it is my pride and joy, I loooove it. I had it out at the barn with me, but when it was time to get on.. strangely I decided to wear my cross country hat instead. I never, ever wear it unless I go xc in events. But I wore it.

Its all scratched and it feels hollow and strange when I knock it, so I can't continue to use it. But I will keep it as a reminder of today and how it saved my life. Recently rabid_racoon posted the thread about hats or no hats, and I remember saying I was perfectly comfortable to ride without mine. Never, ever, EVER again will I get on my horse without a hat. And the bareback days are over, I usually have quite a good bareback seat but I will never ride without my saddle either.

I'm not trying to preach, but my hat saved me. I've been to Accident & Emergency, been through two x rays etc.. I'm fine thank good, bruised but not broken.

Bless the donk, while I shook and cried he just stood there. Even when I turned him back out to the field he just stood there and waited with me. Riding him tomorrow to "get back on" but not much more than that.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs493.snc3/26954_1429916467058_1207246578_31254863_6170317_n. jpg

my hat after the incident. (i usually have a coloured silk over it, thankfully it wasnt ripped as it is my favourite) the rubber is coming off and it feels strange.

My face is also cut/grazed also.

Sucha day :(

[JackieB]

Wow! Thank goodness you're able to write to us about your accident. And good job for wearing your helmet. One really serious concussion can completely change the rest of a person's life (chronic migraines, seizures, memory impairment, etc.).

You'll probably be sore tomorrow, but you'll be able to ride again in no time.

I can't ride bareback either, for the same reason. I had a horrible fall and just decided that I don't have the balance when things get scary.

So glad you are OK.

[Gypsy Rose]

Yikes, Alice! Glad you were wearing your helmet, and that it did its job! Good for Samson to stick by you! What a wonderful boy he is!

It's great that you weren't seriously hurt, and that you're able to ride right away again.

[Suzi]

AH Mann, hope you are ok. Sounds like a nasty fall. Every time I've felt my head bounce off the ground, I am thankful for my helmet.

[vicklynn]

I am soooooooo glad you are ok. I hope all your bruises and scratches heal up soon.
((HUGS))
I also wear a helmet. Never did until last yr. I tell ya, the stupidest things CAN happen.

[AppyLady]

That's scary. I'm so glad you're all right!

[Rabid_Raccoon]

I'm so glad you're okay, Allie! :) Sounds like it was a scary ride.

[allie0]

Thanks guys. Yep, more scary than anyone can ever imagine.

[dame_wolf]

So glad you are ok!!! Very scary!

JackieB is right, a good concussion can cause all kinds of problems! J has had several of them (motorcycle riding and yes he always wears a helmet, even when the out come was a concussion he had one on) and now has to take seizure medication 3 times a day and has short term memory loss.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Scary! So glad you're okay! (((hugs)))

[Equine_Woman]

Wow! Scary is right!!! So glad you are okay!!!

[HeavensEast]

Yesterday when we test rode a strange horse, natisha even wore a helmet! However, she rode bareback, as did I. So I guess we only half learned a lesson. ;)

[Me'N'Chic]

I am soo glad to hear you are OK Alice! I wear my helmet almost all the time now too. Once in awhile I don't and I have this little, nagging voice reminding me that I should have it on!!;)

[Gypsy Rose]

Yesterday when we test rode a strange horse, natisha even wore a helmet! However, she rode bareback, as did I. So I guess we only half learned a lesson. ;)

Oh, I don't know!:) A helmet definitely goes without saying. I won't get on a horse without one.

However, I think whether bareback is more dangerous or not depends on the rider and the situation. For instance, I know that for the most part, I can stick better in my Dressage saddle, but on the other hand, if I KNOW I'm going to get in a situation where I may have to bail off quickly and want to land on my feet, I'm much more comfortable bareback.

Then there's English vs. Western saddles. I'm far more likely to get hung up in a Western saddle (and have), than in an English.

So it all boils down to personal preference and comfort.:)

Glad to hear you're feeling better, allie!

[Country Girl 43]

Oh, I don't know!:) A helmet definitely goes without saying. I won't get on a horse without one.

However, I think whether bareback is more dangerous or not depends on the rider and the situation. For instance, I know that for the most part, I can stick better in my Dressage saddle, but on the other hand, if I KNOW I'm going to get in a situation where I may have to bail off quickly and want to land on my feet, I'm much more comfortable bareback.

Then there's English vs. Western saddles. I'm far more likely to get hung up in a Western saddle (and have), than in an English.

So it all boils down to personal preference and comfort.:)

Glad to hear you're feeling better, allie!

Well said Gypsy. Saddle verses bareback is a matter of preference, not a safety issue. I used to love riding bareback. Still do occassionally, but ot as comfortable anymore.

Allie... glad you are OK. Be sure to soak in a nice warm tub each night. It will help with the bumps and bruises. :)

[valleyrider]

Falling and hitting your head can be scary.. Glad you are OK.

[allie0]

Well said Gypsy. Saddle verses bareback is a matter of preference, not a safety issue. I used to love riding bareback. Still do occassionally, but ot as comfortable anymore.

Allie... glad you are OK. Be sure to soak in a nice warm tub each night. It will help with the bumps and bruises. :)

Yeah, I just feel more secure in a saddle, I rode him the next day and he was just being hyper, and at least I have some control over him in the saddle. I'm not saying to not ride bareback, cause I know its a lot of fun, I'm just saying I'm done with it! =)

Thanks everyone :)

[HeavensEast]

However, I think whether bareback is more dangerous or not depends on the rider and the situation. For instance, I know that for the most part, I can stick better in my Dressage saddle, but on the other hand, if I KNOW I'm going to get in a situation where I may have to bail off quickly and want to land on my feet, I'm much more comfortable bareback.

I agree. It was a strange horse though, and most people don't test ride horses bareback. But we were both confident of our abilities.
I love riding bareback, and with a saddle, well.. I love riding period :cowboy::p

[natisha]

if I KNOW I'm going to get in a situation where I may have to bail off quickly and want to land on my feet, I'm much more comfortable bareback.

I can honestly say I have never purposely bailed from any horse other than teaching them to stop when they lose a rider. Just wondering under what circumstances someone would decide to bail?

[Gypsy Rose]

I can honestly say I have never purposely bailed from any horse other than teaching them to stop when they lose a rider. Just wondering under what circumstances someone would decide to bail?


Oh, nothing special, lol! Like when you're riding alongside the highway, and your horse decides she doesn't like something in the ditch, and throws a bucking fit downhill and has you aimed straight for a No Passing Zone sign maybe?:innocent:

Or when you're horse is deathly afraid of those motorcycles they call crotch rockets. :eek:Or when bailing and landing on your feet is preferable to landing on your head!:)

My first riding instructor was big on me learning how to bail off correctly and when, lol! I always get back on when feasible, of course, and work through whatever the issue is. Unless of course, you don't know the people that owns said bikes! I now just simply get off long fefore they get to us. It's not like I can't hear them coming! She's dead broke to normal trafic, even tractors and semis, but still slightly leery of ATV's. Had the septic guy come in with the truck, and spent 10 minutes showing Gypsy that that hose on the side of the truck was not as snake, and it wouldn't eat her!:hysterical:

[natisha]

Everything is afraid of the septic guy's hose. I know I am.
Thanks. Now I understand bailing, you jump off but hold the horse, I've done that. I was picturing a swan dive or something like that.
I teach emergency dismounts too.

[Gypsy Rose]

Everything is afraid of the septic guy's hose. I know I am.
Thanks. Now I understand bailing, you jump off but hold the horse, I've done that. I was picturing a swan dive or something like that.
I teach emergency dismounts too.


Guess it would ahve helped if I'd used the correct terminology, lol!:) Don't know why it escaped me!:eek: Must be getting old.........:crazy:

[Petra]

Wow Allie! I'm so glad you are OK. Your fall sounds scary. Hope your scratches and bruises heal up fast!

Gypsy: I agree I prefer to ride bareback if I think I need to bail. When Trigger bucked me off, I knew I'm going to "go" about one second before I was catapulted over his head. Have I been bareback I would have gotten of off him and my hands would have been in one piece. I didn't have enough time to kick off the stirrups.
However I wouldn't go faster than a trot when I ride bareback. I couldn't hold on if she made a sharp turn. I know I would come off.

[Fork]

I know exactly what you're talking about with emergency landings. I only ever fell off of Tiara once and we were bareback. She threw a massive bucking fit. I managed to get both of my legs on one side and slid down her barrel. I was lucky to have only landed on my feet.

I'm so happy that you're okay! :) I'm the same in that I can't get on a horse without a helmet. I just don't feel right.

[JetLagaside]

I'm glad to hear you are ok, these are the reasons I always wear a helmet. Things just happen way to fast.

[MyMia]

I'm so glad you're okay with only scratches and bruises. That must have been scary! I'm glad you were wearing a helmet--I don't want to imagine what could have happened if you weren't.

I think riding bareback is a matter of preference, too. I would never have ridden Mia bareback, but I ride Charlie bareback all the time.