A bit of drama today!

C

carthorse

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Jan 6, 2006
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First fall from Luka, and he doesn't do it by halves.

We went to the rivers, that were a lot higher than I expected considering we've had no rain for a month, they must have opened the floodgates further upstream. I would have gone back, but there were workmen digging up a concrete car park that we'd gone past and would have to go past again, he'd gone past but hadn't been sure and I didn't want to turn round and go past again.

Anyway we waded through the river that was nearly to his belly in places and he thought it was great fun! Got to the shallower bit and were nearly out when a duck came under the bridge behind him and on seeing a horse took off - why do I get the spooky duck?! Well I'm guessing you've got a good idea how that went down
😂
. He shot forward, but in water over his knees and a loose stone bottom he nearly lost his footing and scared himself. Lashed out, stumbled, bucked, span, massive buck, another massive buck with all feet off the ground and then a big splash as I landed in the river. Which added to his panic as he tried to miss me, nearly fell and legged it out the river. Thankfully he went to the middle of the two crossings rather than towards the village and stopped quickly to wait for me. He was clearly expecting a thrashing from the way he was acting, not scratches, a check over and some soggy mints.

Phoned a friend to see if she could bring my steps down to get on and started to lead him home. I wasn't wading through a deep river so once I was sure he'd calmed down enough to follow me I led him over the narrow footbridge - it isn't safe for horses since it has rail sides - and bless him he followed behind with his head against my back. Then back past the scary workmen who at least saw him this time and stopped for us, one even offered a leg up but at that point a strange man would have been too much for him I think.

Met my friend and it took probably 20 minutes to get on him with him going right back to scared wreck, to the extent that my friend was unhappy about me getting on as she thought he'd buck or bolt. However we managed it in the end and I let him move on into a trot to burn off some nervous energy. By the time we got home he was walking quietly though still bit twitchy at things that moved. Untacked him, fed him, rugged up and turned out then found a change of clothes and boots since everything was sodden - boots and pockets full of water, but thankfully no fish!

Still on a positive note he didn't run far, he coped so well with the workmen, he had the trust to follow me over the bridge, he let me back on in a strange place when he was clearly scared and once on he settled down. Hopefully he won't decide bucking is a good way to remove irritating riders and has learned that even when things go that wrong he isn't in trouble and won't get beaten.

Poor Luka, that wasn't meant to happen.
 
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How horrible. And extra dramatic with the river. I am really sorry you came off but glad you werent hurt. Take care now, and dont catch cold. Perhaps it is good for some of us on NR to know that even you can come to grief. Our YM would say that it isnt that safe to lead a horse over a narrow bridge, walking ahead of him. Though you had no choice.
But I have been feeling low and old today, worn out by yesterday's hack, my difficulty dismounting and finally tripping and falling on gravel as I led Ella back to her box. YM said Ella tripped me by catching the heel of my boot with her hoof, but I think it is just old age and old boots and smooth soles. I was wondering if it meant I should stop riding.
You were lucky with your friend and to get back on him I think. I always used to do that at the RS. And I am sorry that your being flung off and remounting has been something of a comfort to me.
I dont know if there were kids and other people around? OH pointed out it iss half term this week and our rides were full of kids and families with dogs.
 
Oh my goodness! I hope you don’t suffer any ill effects from your dunk, and Luka can put it behind him. What a good horse to stay with you and cope with the return journey.
 
Wow @carthorse that was quite the performance from Luka. My first thought was, "Thank God, if you're going to be bucked off, get bucked off into a river, at least you won't break anything." My second thought was, "OMG, what about your phone?!"

I'm glad you didn't break anything, and I think your relationship with Luka will get extra strength from how you treated him. Ziggy used to expect a thrashing after I fell off. In all the years I had him he never stopped looking anxious when I went up to him after. Luka knows now that you aren't one to punish him.

But what about your phone??!!
 
@Jessey yes it was a very soft landing, and far better than if I'd landed on the track which I would have done if he hadn't spun, that would have really hurt. My poor new boots though, I'm hoping that they're ok when they dry out and are oiled.

@Sparky Lily he is a good lad and stuck around and was caught even though he was clearly very worried about what would happen. That trust has taken a long time and lots of patience to build but it paid off today. I've thought for some time now that if he hadn't been messed up by the people trying to back and ride him then he'd have been one of the easiest and kindest horses I've ever worked with, he's sensitive and late cut but that's all.

@Jane&Ziggy my phone did look like it had died shortly after it's dunking, but it seems to have come back ok. I've taken a list of numbers off it to be safe though, so many contacts are only on my phone! At least it lasted long enough for me to phone a friend, that would have been a long walk in boots that were full of water 😂. Luka was still quite anxious tonight, I took his feed and hay to him and to begin with he wouldn't eat, just stood licking my trainers and all worried eyes. Gave him a fuss, told him he was good and loved and then held his bucket until he was eating properly. I hate seeing the fear and worry, hate to think of what put it there. I saw his old owner the other day and he was saying he must come up and see him - not effing likely!!

@Skib I'm not sure what you mean with even I can come to grief? Everyone can and does come off at times. The bridge was a calculated risk but it was less than going on through a river that deep with a decent current too, I could easily have lost my footing and he was already stressed so I wouldn't have been in a position to hold him. The second crossing is just as deep. As for how I led him over the bridge, well I either went in front of behind because it isn't wide enough to go beside him and there was no way he'd have handled me being behind even if my reins were long enough, he needed the reassurance of someone calm to follow. As for what upset him, it was the duck and if I could have roast duck for dinner tonight I would!
 
See my first thought was the saddle! And how wet it got in the dunking, and then the soggy bum ride home!

Glad you are ok tho and he let you get back on. I appreciate how much of a leap that is for him.
 
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@Doodle92 I have to admit I didn't do anything with the saddle today, but it'll get some tlc tomorrow, as you righty say it had a very soggy bum in it 🤣
 
My first thought was, crap bet that water was jolly cold!!

Oh we would manage to find the flapping duck 😂

He did get himself into a pickle didn't he, but as you say, you are both okay, he didn't go far and you were able to carry on home, albeit very wet. You didn't catch any fish either so that's good. Mine used to startle with the sight of the fish.

I think phones these days dry out fairly well. Pop in some rice. I suspect it was protected in a coat pocket or even in a plastic pouch, or is that just me.
 
carthorse said:
@Jane&Ziggy my phone did look like it had died shortly after it's dunking, but it seems to have come back ok. I've taken a list of numbers off it to be safe though, so many contacts are only on my phone! At least it lasted long enough for me to phone a friend, that would have been a long walk in boots that were full of water 😂.
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I hadn’t really thought of not having use of my phone if it became incapacitated, I’m going to have to sharpie a couple of numbers inside my hat or something!
 
@newforest it wasn't as cold as I would have thought, at least we picked a warm day :)

@Jessey I must get a dog tag to put on my saddle with contact numbers, and I like your idea of putting some in my hat too.
 
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Oh wow! Glad you and Luka are ok. Ducks, pigeons and squirrels are the instruments of the devil. Hope Luka gets over his scare with no ill effects.
 
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@newforest I meant to say earlier that my Bow Balance stirrups released my foot completely cleanly despite him twisting as he bucked. And no, I didn't come off simply to test them for your benefit, I'm not that considerate 😂
 
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So glad he stopped and waited for you. Hope he doesnt have any long term effects from his ordeal. I suppose if your going to fall off, apart from the embarrassment and pride at least you where hurt.

I would have got panicked if i fell off in the river as i cant swim. My body would have gone into shock with cold.
 
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Oh dear.

Firstly I’m glad you are both ok. Secondly well done for calming him down, he will remember he’s not with that person and come back to you ❤️

I also had a small giggle at the splash landing. Bloody birds! That’s what gets Faran every time, or the kamakaze squirrels 🤣🤣🤣
 
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carthorse said:
@newforest I meant to say earlier that my Bow Balance stirrups released my foot completely cleanly despite him twisting as he bucked. And no, I didn't come off simply to test them for your benefit, I'm not that considerate 😂
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Many thanks for the non planned testing of them.
I am back in mine as back in the other saddle, though using the foot warmers as it's gone chilly here.

I hope your boots are fine, I cheat and use equileather as we get filthy 😂
 
Im so pleased you are ok, and I’m sorry you fell off in the river. I can just imagine how you looked walking along soaking wet! You must have been freezing. I admire you for getting back on and riding him home, not sure I would have been brave enough to do that.
 
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@Mary Poppins while I'd love to say I was brave but it was closer to the mark to say I didn't want to walk all the way home in boots that had water sloshing about in the bottom! I could also let him trot if I was on him, and a decent trot always steadies him. The bigger question was whether I could get on in a strange place, less than a year ago mounting in familiar surroundings was a problem! And yes I probably did look a comical sight dripping water everywhere while walking a plunging cob in hand 😂. Bless the people who took the time to ask if I was ok or needed someone fetching.
 
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