a bolt from the blue - quite literally !!

[rubysmum]

in over 2 yrs of owning ruby she has never done anything truly bad - she has been scared, put into bad positions, handled badly [by me] but there has always been good reason for poor behaviour - however - on sat she bolted, not once but twice - first time managed to turn her into a field and circle her until she calmed down , then she tanked off again towards home - faster than i have ever moved on a horse, couldnt circle her, couldnt stop her finally was sooo scared that i just stopped riding and fell off at speed onto my shoulder and she galloped home - she wasnt spoooked - no horses set her off I have NO idea why it happened - so Sun out of snaffle, back into gag & flash & for the first time ever was really aware of how big she is - all feels like we have gone so far backwards - and to add adtitional misey - forst aider at work thinks I may have really damaged my shoulder as my finger are puffy and tingling so may have to go to A&E - have no family support or anyone to help with child or horses so am almost too scared to go and of course i can only afford to keep horse if i continue working at yard at week ends - this could end up being soooo bad - pls send happy vibes my way & thanks for listening:)

[Welsh_Girl]

Hi I'm so sorry you've had a bad experience with your horse, but at least you're both still alive:D

Part of the joy of horses is the occasional disaster they throw at us, and what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger:D

Take one step at a time, go to your GP or A+E ASAP because if you do need treatment the sooner you get it done the sooner you can deal with it and all the other problems that this incident has brought -up (Kids, weekend job etc).
If however your injury is not serious (Crossed Fingers Here) then you can just get on with things:D:D

Please don't let this stop you, deal with it however you need to, just please don't stop. Even if it means just handling you horse on the ground for a couple of days to re-gain some trust. Or even try and get someone to ride with you. Expect to feel your confidence dented but don't give-up.

My horse put me in A+E this summer with head injuries and a suspected broken neck:o I'm back riding now tho:D

[Purple Hugs]

First thing definately get yourself down A&E. You have a child, you cannot afford not to get yourself checked out. ((Hugs)) and it sounds like a dislocated shoulder if you have nerve problems (tingling etc). :) may well just be simple to get it sorted.

Other than this.. do you have insurance? does it cover rider injury? As this may cover you for time off work.
If you are a paid employee of the RS do you get sick pay? as also may be something to cover you if need time off.

Problems are seldom as bad as we fear. So time to get yourself in gear and get yourself sorted hun.

As for why she bolted, i'd start with saddle/tack, back check, teeth check, if she really bolted for no reason then it may be a pain or something.

[gemkat]

Hi
When I read the thread, I think you ladies are extremely brave... My recent accident left me with whiplash and a soar head (trapped nerve) which needed several physio sessions. My head/neck are still not 100% and I am due to see the physio again today.. The worst part is that I was in the middle of a private lesson. I question myself, if it is like this under supervision, what would it be like when I am on my own with a horse. I am thinking of buying a horse next year.. would it be sensible for me to consider a much older and experienced horse? A bombproofed animal (whatever that means)...:confused: that will provide light hacking etc..

It is my dream to own my own horse.. and for the first time in my life I could do this financially... but then I am losing my confidence...but I really want to do everything to eliminate the risk of accidents.. Any of your precious advice would be great..
Regards, Liz:)

[rubysmum]

ho hum - school being v awkward bout relaasing me - cover isues etc - i suspect that they feel i should have gone yesterday -sun - they dont know that i work wk ends & i dont feel any need to tell them- sadly have no personal injury cover & of course work "on the black" at yard so no protection there - current plan is to collect daughter from scholo & then go the hospital - re confidence - MADE myself ride yesterday - mare can be stropy & i suspect was feeling bit flighty cos of the wind and cos she has just started coming in - will canter her out on weds - shoulder allowing - and see how she feels
thanks for yr support - bit of a lack of cyber chocolate tho;)

[Welsh_Girl]

Confidence does go as we get older, the joys of growing-up I suppose. As children our naivety blinds us to potential danger, but as adults we see the dangers and as in this case the problems that can occur through being out of action.

All you can do is apply a bit of common sense if you're an inexperienced rider get a mature horse thats not too breedy and has seen it and got the T-shirt. It'll take a while to find the right horse, and this sort of horse will cost a bit, but they do exist and word of mouth is good way to start.

[Afellpony]

I'm very sorry to hear that you've had this problem with your pony. Is there anyone nearby that could help you with schooling her; or, someone that could perhaps ride her for you a couple of times a week? Hope you feel better soon. Well I'm sending you some cyber chocolate - only dont eat it all. Leave some for me!!!! Here goes..@@@@@@@ chocolates wrapped in pretty paper!!!!

[Purple Hugs]

lol never heard of cyber chocolate! :P
Hope you get seen quickly and are back here posting all is well in no time! :)

May well be the wind if it was windy, lead our section A yesterday (normally nothing makes him jump) but he was on his toes from the wind. And i unzipped my coat which made him jump so definately more sensitive in the wind! :p

[rubysmum]

stops to grab cyber choccy - yum delicious & calorie free - well 3.5 hrs in A& E - shoulder NOT fractured hoorah - BUT there is some damage - will need physio and helpful [not] nurse said strap it up - rest for several days oh and dont drive - would that i lived in her world - drove home ate pizza and will go and muck out & ride tomorrow - i never used to be this stoic about pain - my horse has made me rock hard:p:p

[elaine@dow-evan]

Cyber choccy coming your way asap....it's non-fattening and non-addictive {{{big hugs too}}}
I fell off in May and sprained my ankle badly...you will heal. I did. Better than before actually! So, do what the physio tells you (and all the rest!!)
hope you are feelng better soon...

[Roheryn]

More cyber chocolate being sent as I type this ...

I am really sorry you had such a scary experience. I agree with those who said check everything out--saddle, teeth, back, anything that could be causing Ruby pain or giving her a reason for what she did. That said, I really hope you will be OK again soon, physically and emotionally!

[Troi]

More cyber choc too you, :):):)keep it for later. I'm surprised your school didn't let you go to A&E, cover or no, better you off a few hours than a few days. Go slowly tomorrow and let's know how you get on:D:):D

[Welsh_Girl]

Glad to hear you're Ok and getting about:D

Is there any chance your horse could stay out for a few days and save you the mucking out?

Well done for being so strong, I'm impressed:)

[LauraHats]

You do have help and support....in the form of NR! I notice that you are in Leicester, me too! so if you need help with horseys, PM!! Did I imagine that you have a sharer? maybe they could ride a little more often?

[Bradders]

Poor you - I came off at high velocity on to tarmac at the end of July in very similar circumstances, so I can imagine how you feel.

Well done for getting back on - it takes a huge leap of faith!

With me, it was the second tank off in very quick succession - and completely out of charachter for my lad. I eventually discovered the source of the problem - his lovely new, flippin expensive saddle, did not fit and his back was incredibly sore - would it be worth checking your mare's back/saddle?

Hope that you feel better soon

[Drummer & Eli]

aw poor you, pleased shoulder ok

D bolted with me a few months ago, we were both terrified. it ended up being pain related and a trip to hospital (for him) lol i did think about throwin myself off as well .... good luck x

[Cobgirl]

How scary for you! So pleased that you are ok and can carry on with all of your duties.

I returned to riding in May after a break of 40 years. a week or so ago, I fell from my part loan and it definitely knocks your confidence. I would say that checking our your girlie for anything that is causing her a problem is a wise thing to do. Sometimes they act up for no particular reason or it may be a big deal, as others have said, saddle not fitting properly, sore back, leg could be anything.

We sometimes forget that behind the soft brown eyes, there is often over 1000 lbs worth of power waiting to take off! I know with my own ride, when I am grooming her, and I feel the power in her muscles, I say to myself, 'have respect always!'

Hope that you get to the bottom of the problem and that it never happens again.

Oh and cyber hugs and choccies from me as well!

[rubysmum]

thaks for all the chocs & concerns - rode big girl tonite - butter wouldnt melt - looking at her you couldnt imagine she would ever do anything bad - was probably a good wake up call for me - i may have been getting a bit blase about it all -real test tomorrow - when we hack outside - she is having her regular shiatsu nxt week so will discuss it with therapist - phaps she can give me a quick tweek as well:)

[Cobgirl]

thaks for all the chocs & concerns - rode big girl tonite - butter wouldnt melt - looking at her you couldnt imagine she would ever do anything bad - was probably a good wake up call for me - i may have been getting a bit blase about it all -real test tomorrow - when we hack outside - she is having her regular shiatsu nxt week so will discuss it with therapist - phaps she can give me a quick tweek as well:)


Ah I have been giving Mollie some shiatsu basics - the stomach meridian especially!

[a+e]

Are you sure the saddle fits ok?
I know its an obvious question but this is what happened with our normally bombproof, safe, ploddy horse when her saddle was pinching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSTkGFpX_SY

[rubysmum]

im fairly sure about the saddle - she has a torsion treeless - which she has been ridden in for bout 18 months - her previous saddle didnt fit & she told us very firmly by trying to bite my head off every time i put it on her - so the fact that she is happy to be tacked up in her treeless makes me think that its ok - im fairly sure that she bolted cos she was angry & fustrated by not being allowed to join other horses she had seem out while hacking -an issue she used to have when i frst got her as she had mostly hunted before & saw any other horses as members of the field - but i am appy to be guided by others - pls advise

[a+e]

Ok, thought id just ask:rolleyes:
I hope you can get this sorted out soon, and i think youre very brave to get back on.
XX

[clarabella_78]

Are you sure the saddle fits ok?
I know its an obvious question but this is what happened with our normally bombproof, safe, ploddy horse when her saddle was pinching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSTkGFpX_SY

Didn't see that coming!!! :eek:

[Bradders]

Are you sure the saddle fits ok?
I know its an obvious question but this is what happened with our normally bombproof, safe, ploddy horse when her saddle was pinching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSTkGFpX_SY

That gave me buterflies in my stomach - was everyone Ok?

Badly fitting saddle produced a similar repsonse in my pony!