Does this magpie make me look fat?
Well, Misty, with or without the magpie, you look fat. It's because of your leisurely lifestyle.
Misty and I have not ridden together since a July 11th trail riding mishap. She spooked big; did an abrupt 180 degree turn and bolted. My girth had become loose, my saddle rolled a little to the right, and I couldn't regain my balance to ride out the bolt.
I hit the ground hard!
I got back on after we found Misty, who galloped across a big meadow and disappeared into the forest. I rode the rest of the day, not realizing how injured I was.
I hit the ground hard!
I got back on after we found Misty, who galloped across a big meadow and disappeared into the forest. I rode the rest of the day, not realizing how injured I was.
- Broke my left arm at the elbow joint (radial head fracture). It has healed with a minor deformity. I'm doing physical therapy and I'm slowly regaining use. Today, I was able to release my own passenger side seatbelt, but still can't buckle it on my own. Baby steps.
- Injured my left shoulder which was diagnosed yesterday as "frozen shoulder". Doc gave me a cortisone shot and prescribed physical therapy.
- Destroyed nerves and tissue on my right leg; had a huge hematoma from above my knee down into my toes. Doc is ordering an MRI on my knee because it is still swollen and sore 12 weeks after the fall. Hoping to rule out a meniscus tear.
- Smacked my head hard, but my brand new Tipperary Sportage helmet protected my noggin well. Wear a helmet, every ride, every time.
It has been frustrating to miss the best riding weather of the year, but I've learned from this experience.
- Misty and I need to strengthen our relationship so she looks to me for leadership more. I need to increase my confidence, to be that leader. Misty was a little agitated that morning. I was having a hard time getting her attention and helping her relax.
- Check my girth more frequently. I had it as tight as I ever do, but surprisingly it loosened a lot, as Misty became sweaty and kind of sucked in during the the ride.
- All the pain I've experienced these last 12 weeks has motivated me to take better care of my health through diet and exercise. I want to feel good and be fit to ride well into my senior years (crud, which aren't that far away).
- I'm going to focus on dressage when I'm able to ride, to improve communication with Misty and work as a team. I'm interested in Western Dressage and hope to compete next year. Started fundamental dressage lessons last year and was surprised how much I like it. I like it because Misty loves it!
I'm slowly bouncing back and looking forward to riding again. By the time I can climb back in the saddle, the temperature will be lingering in the 30s and 40s F on sunny days. But, hey, I love shopping for winter riding wear!
What have you learned from riding mishaps? How have you overcome them?
That sounds like a horrible fall. And dealing with all the injuries afterwards up and to including today must be very hard. I'm so glad you were wearing a helmet I'm sure it saved your brain matter.
ReplyDeleteI think the hardest thing to overcome after a mishap is the fear that it will happen again. It can be a little hard to get the confidence back and the trust in yourself and your horse. Feel better.
Thanks Grey Horse. I'm so glad I wear a helmet too. I worry for my friends who don't. This was my first fall off of Misty in the 7 years I've been riding her and I felt a sharp pain in my head when it struck the ground, but it went away quickly with no other head pain. I have to keep reminding myself that Misty and I ended on a good note. About an hour into our ride after our lunchbreak, she finally lowered her head, blew several times and yawned, and was back to relaxed self.
DeleteSorry to hear about your mishap - as you may remember I had a very bad fall off Pie in 2011 with broken bones and a serious head injury. Take you time and do as much as you can, but no more. Glad you wear a helmet - wish more people did - helmets can prevent death and more serious head injuries than would otherwise occur.
ReplyDeleteDo you have someone to work with when you get back to riding?
And at my age - I don't bounce anymore, I just go splat!
ReplyDeleteKate, yes, I go splat! Thud! The ground is so much more unforgiving that when I was in my 20s. I was surprised that a rather undramatic fall could do so much damage. I recall your accident; it was on the trail too wasn't it? My dressage instructor is going to help me get back into riding. She also had Misty at her farm for a month, tuning up her ground work and working on building her confidence and communication. Next week, we'll haul Misty to a trainer she has recommended, who will start doing some dressage/training rides to get Misty ready for me.
DeleteThat sounds like a good plan - I got some outside assistance as well and it made a big difference.
DeleteOuch!! Sorry to hear of your fall. Those of us that aren't used to hitting the ground, have a much harder time getting back to being comfortable in the saddle and trusting our mounts. For me it was my mind that needed the most mending. I think the things you listed as having learned are fantastic to work towards!! I've been interested in Cowboy Dressage (vs Western) for years. I was more or less doing it before it was a thing, while taking lessons for a couple years from a dressage/hunter jumper trainer a good decade ago - and I miss it. Not sure what's stopping me from getting back into it, especially now that it's developed, other then I would need to switch barns/trainers. It's so great that Misty likes dressage! I think Koda might like it too? I look forward to hearing more about your endeavors, once you are healed up. Take whatever time you need, don't rush. You'll be the first to know when everything feels right enough to move onto the next step.
ReplyDeleteAurora, I was hoping to ride in my first dressage show last week, instead, I packed a healthy lunch, took a pillow to prop my leg on and a compfy padded stadium seat and sat and watched for 9 hours! I loved it. I'm looking forward to being more involved. I think most horses like it. Yes, the mental confidence is going to take some time, but I'll ease into it. Thanks!
DeleteI'm glad you are on the mend. After my series of falls from Winston, I lost my confidence but good. Like Kate, I go splat and don't bounce and I worry about serious injury in a way I never did when I was young. I'm much happier with an older horse. I'm too old for babies. I think dressage is the best thing for communication -- but then, I'm biased.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to worry about falling again, but hopefully I can clear that from my mind as my confidence returns. I don't want to "borrow trouble" as my dad used to tell me. But I had no idea I could get hurt so bad from a simple fall in a meadow. Thank goodness it didn't happen a few minutes earlier when we were crossing over flat rocks. I'm glad I finally gave dressage a shot, and discovered I like it.
DeleteYikes I hadn't heard about your fall. I'm behind on reading blogs. I'm sorry you got hurt so bad and I hope everything heals up normally and quickly.
ReplyDeleteHi achieve1dream. Thanks, I'm mending slowly, but starting to see progress and a little less pain. Just anxious to get the MRI, and hoping it shows nothing that needs surgery.
DeleteOh no! So sorry to hear this! I hope you mend soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm a huge believer in helmets. I too worry for the riders that don't wear them.
Dressage is addictive!
Hi Terry. I can't wait to resume dressage lessons. I was really enjoying them before this happened. Misty was supposed to be ridden by a trainer last Friday, but weather ruined the plan. Hoping next weekend.
DeleteGlad you are recovering -- sorry to hear about your fall but SO happy to hear the shiny helmet was in place doing its job!! The "simple" falls can be horridly tricksy -- my permanent knee injury is from what to me seemed like a completely uneventful slide over Solo's shoulder. I don't remember the middle part, but I ended up on my knees in good footing with his reins in one hand. I hopped up and walked out, waving "I'm fine" to the judge. I spent an hour packing up my stall, loading horse, etc.
ReplyDeleteWell, after a 3-hr trailer ride home, I stepped out of the truck...and fell on my face. I still refused to go to ER till BFF picked me up at the house b/c it hurt so bad I couldn't breathe. I had a lovely collection of tibial plateau fractures, a chunk missing from my fibula, & it took a year & 2 MRI's & a scope from a phenomenal ortho to find the huge tear in my articular cartilage on my tibia. Go stem cell research! Until they figure out how to grow new cartilage, I'm stuck with a pretty accurate barometer in my left leg that can't really kneel.
Blech, hope you are back in the game soon & Misty is a little less nonchalant about leaving you to the tigers (Solo was too).
Goodness gracious I'm sorry about your knee. Does it hurt to ride? Does a knee support help? I think I want to wear something on my elbow and knee for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are back in the saddle soon. I can't wait to come to see you and Misty doing dressage! She is growing so beautiful with age!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dreaming. I'll let you know when we're in your neck of the woods. We may do a clinic early next year, if I can be ready. Hoping to ride this month, but have to see how my PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections go. Had my first one on Friday. Two more to go.
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