This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Everyone! Well, It finally happened. We have been having summer fun trail riding and doing fine, BUT, the last two days, we have had two minor injury accidents (That could have been MAJOR)
First one happened on a beautiful easy trail up to some water falls near us, about a 5 mile ride, good groomed trails, EXCEPT for one 6 ft stretch where two pieces of shale rock come down to narrow the trail down to about a foot or less, and a big rock on the other side, then a steep hill down. On the way up, through that spot, Gracie's back foot slipped on the shale rock just a little, but we were almost all the way through it when it happened. On the way down, we were slow and careful through that spot. BUT, just as we came to it, the horse Mandy was riding (3 yr old Sonny) put his right hoof up on it, (it was on the uphill side) and he slipped and knocked his feet right out from under him. Mandy's whole leg was pinned momentarily, between him and the rock. Luckily, this all happened real quick and he jumped back up and she kicked her foot loose from the stirrup, just in case he fell again while scrambling up. Mandy has a huge knot on her knee, a bruised arch of her foot, bent stirrup and a riding boot with no heel. We were very lucky, x-rays showed no bones broke. She rode back down the 2 miles we had to go. If we go on that trail next time, we will either have borium on their shoes or walk that little section. Any suggestions? THEN. Yesterday, Sarah and I went out on Gracie and Ori, with a neighbor who rides all the time, and we decided that it was time to cross the irrigation canal. It's about 20 ft across and about 3 1/2 ft deep. We haven't been able to get the mares to cross, and we didn't have a horse that had done it before, The neighbor crosses all the time. He went thru, Then Sarah went with Ori, Then Gracie got right down to the edge (downhill slope) and I could feel she was gonna jump. I held on and as she leaped...... The cinch broke on my Aussie Saddle. and I went over her head into the water. All I could think about was getting out of her way, but she stepped on my back under the water with one hoof, shoving me to the bottom in the silt. Then she was out and I had the wind knocked somewhat out of me, but I stood up. I'm okay, I could tell I had nothing broke, the water kinda cushioned the blow. But I have the BIGGEST hoof mark on my back, and It hurts like #$$%%^&&. My neighbor then ponied Gracie back and forth thru the ditch about three times till she was comfortable. We waited all summer to finally get a chance to cross. LOL Guess it was spectacular from their view.(Didn't know Gracie was such a jumper) All I could think about was, what if I had turned over and It was my chest, or worse my head. UGH. Both my Cinch straps broke off right where they were buckled, This was a saddle I just bought last year, the leather looked so thick. Come to find out it was two pieces of leather sewn together, which made a weak spot. I'm gonna have the whole thing redone. or just get a nice Trail saddle Well, I'm to sore to sleep, So hope I'm not rambling on to much. Pain pills will do that to you Still having fun though' Michele Noonan Stevensville, MT PS .Sarah Nagel says she's going home now, she has no one else to ride with LOL
