Every Time, Every Ride

My son probably might have observed that I wasn't wearing my helmet in the picture on the previous post. Once while in Wyoming, I tried to get away with not wearing it and he caught me. On that day, I had a terrible headache and didn't want anything on my head. With our eyes locked, he unbuckled his helmet as if to say "if you don't wear it, I'm not," so instead I told him to fetch my hard hat. Extreme heat has been another excuse; the brim of a straw hat keeps more sun off my face. But yes, these are just excuses. I was reminded a few weeks ago at our county parade how quickly accidents happen. Before it started, Windy spooked a mule team. I got her stopped and dismounted quickly to get control from the ground. Before I had my footing, she spun around and slammed into me, knocking me to the white rocked ground, not only under her, but Butter, as well. Those hooves are pretty scary up close and personal. I need to remind myself every time, every ride why I wear a helmet.

Today, Janet Caul of Cross C Equine services sent the following note to our Horsetales list serv. It was very powerful and timely. Janet has given permission for me to share her thoughts with you.

Janet's message was titled Heavy Heart Today and it read:

Every Time, Every Ride. That is the title to an informative, educational video about helmet wearing in the equestrian world. Unfortunately, not enough people know about this video, nor would they consider wearing a helmet when horseback riding. Whatever your reason for not wearing one, it's not good enough.

"It's not what real cowboys/cowgirls do." Really? You may end up not being either without a helmet.

"I'll get hat hair." It's better to have hat hair than no hair from brain surgery.

"It's uncomfortable." It's better to be a little uncomfortable for an hour or two, than being paralyzed in an uncomfortable wheel chair the rest of your life.

"I love the feel of the wind in my hair," "I love the feel of the openness." If you have a head injury you may never feel the openness or wind again.

"It doesn't look good." Riding is not about fashion...

I could go on and on with the reasons/excuses why people decide not to wear a helmet. Oh, I know, "I would NEVER let my kids ride without a helmet." But what about YOU? Aren't YOU worth it? Do you want your kids growing up without you? Do you want to be that kind of example? Oh, and don't think that "just this once" an accident can't happen. Every time you get on any horse you should wear your helmet.

"They're too expensive." Hospital bills are too expensive!

No one is exempt from an accident when riding, no matter how well trained your horse is nor how good of a rider you might think you are.

My heart is heavy as I write this. A young man, with a wife and 2 small children, chose to ride a horse without a helmet. He is now fighting for his life with a massive brain injury. He may never recover, and if he does, he will NEVER be the same. The pain and suffering is indescribable and almost unbearable for those who love him.

I'm equally angry. I'm convinced that if he had been wearing a helmet, his injuries would not have been the same, especially his brain injury. Even if God so chooses to heal him, will he think about wearing a helmet the next time he mounts his horse? Will his extended family and friends think about wearing a helmet? Will his place of employment require helmets from now on, for EVERYONE, not just the kids?

I will continue to pray for this young family daily, hourly, and by the minute. I also hope that somehow, safety while riding horses, especially wearing helmets, will become their ministry.

I also pray that if one person is changed by all of this, it was worth the pain and suffering they've endured. OR, was it?

Thanks, Janet, for the timely reminder. (And looking at the picture above, I can tell you that is NOT how you should wear a helmet. It really needs to be tighter under my chin.)

.

Nettles & Noggins

My horse is a bit of a princess. Not only is she the prettiest bay mare in the world, she is also the most sensitive, it seems. Sensitive to what, you ask? Urtica dioica. Nettles. Stinging nettles.

I’ve known this for several years, but had written it off as just one of her idiosyncrasies. Ginger, her dam, walks right through them without any problems. So do the rest of our herd. But the first time Windy encountered them several years ago, she started stomping and trying to flee the area. Subsequent times, it has turned into a Mexican hat dance of sorts. All four of her legs keep moving and she tries to chew and spin at the same time. My best defense when I know my horse is in trouble is to dismount as soon as it’s safe and that can be quite a challenge when she is in “full nettles rage”. Picture hanging on to the saddle horn, horizontal, with my legs straight out behind me, as she spins like an out of control carnival ride! Okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea.

If I know I am going to be on a trail that might have nettles, I will put boots on all her legs. And ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time, I can avoid the weeds by taking another trail or picking our way around them. Not truly understanding what she was feeling, I guess I also thought maybe the shock of touching them initially is what sends her in the rage and perhaps she just needs to get used to it – get over it already! Okay, you don’t have to hit me over the head more than once for thinking that. I get it now! It hurts her. And I think it always will!

We came down a hill this weekend and she reacted before I even saw the nettles. She lunged forward off the trail. I’d come short of calling it bolting because there was really nowhere to go in the wooded area. There were horses in front of us, a horse behind us and a very low downed tree that we both wouldn’t fit under. As I was looking for a place to bail just in case she thought we’d limbo, she turned to the right, lunging forward once again. I flopped like a rag doll, coming down toward her head just as her head came up. And we collided. I didn’t see stars but heard the vertebrae in my neck pop rapidly. At first I thought my sunglasses were broken, but realized I wasn’t wearing any. I got her stopped as quickly as it seemed to have started and quickly dismounted as she stood quivering.

I know one other horse who responds to nettles this way. Normally a very steady ride, nettles will send him in almost the same rage as Windy. I’m curious if any of the rest of you have encountered this?

I also wanted to show you my helmet. If you read my earlier blog about helmets, you’ll see that I agree that statistics show that most of the time we will probably end our ride without a head injury. Helmets are there just in case we don’t. Well, I think I had better go buy a lottery ticket because this is the second time in less than a year that I believe a helmet has saved my noggin! No, I probably wouldn't have died, but I would have been a hurtin' cowgirl!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but as I get older, I’m finding it harder and harder for my brain to work right on a good day. It can’t afford very many crunches to it. My helmet – right at the visor – took the impact from Windy’s head when collided. I felt it and I heard it. The visor broke away from the helmet when her head slammed into mine. The inside foam casing has a small crack in it. I had a mild headache for about 24 hours and a stiff neck.

I didn’t put my helmet on thinking I was going to get bucked off. And I certainly have never entertained the idea that I would need it for a head butt. Like any other time I ride, I didn’t really think about my helmet at all when I put it on that day. It has become as much a part of my gear as my boots. It’s nice to know, however, that it was there when I needed it and I'll live another day. Perhaps you'll put yours on today, too.

Helmet Poll Results

To accompany my recent blog about helmet use, I ran a short survey to see how many of you who read this blog wear helmets. Sixty readers participated in the poll. I think the results are indicative of those who read this blog. In the real world, I would say those that never wear a helmet is a lot higher, especially among casual riders. From my survey,

23% wear a helmet 100% of the time
18% wear a helmet 75 - 99% of the time

15% wear a helmet occasionally

26% never wear a helmet

On the Sunday morning of Expo, my friend Tammy A and I participated in a trail tack demo for Brenda Messick of Messick Tack. I was in a bay mood -- black pants, brown and black jacket, brown and black boots. Of course the goal was to match my bay horse! But my gold helmet just didn't cut it. So I borrowed a new Troxel Cheyenne from a friend. Capped off the outfit quite nicely (pun intended). Talk about a NICE helmet! Check it out! Windy had been quite high all weekend and I was quite happy I didn't have to demonstrate how well the helmet actually worked!

Me and Tammy A at the Trail Tack demo

I appreciate you taking the poll and posting your comments on the original post. I know that post won't make all of you become helmet wearers, but I do hope those of you who have been on the fence about wearing a helmet and find it awkward, embarrassing or out of place will now know I once felt that way, too, but took the plunge and now it has become "the norm" for me and it ain't so bad. I know it's saved my head at least twice! (Okay, so I never told you abut the big tree branch that about knocked me off my horse! I swear, I didn't see it!) And it's super cool if you can find one to match your horse!

If you missed my original post about why I wear a helmet, you can see it here: Hard Headed Woman

Hard Headed Woman

If you've been following this blog, you may recall this story from late last summer. I met some friends at an indoor arena for a play day. I’d been riding a green horse and was quite pleased with how far we had come. When someone rolled a big ball into the arena, my horse’s ears went up and he was in hot pursuit of the ball. Curious and eager. Truly, I was pleased with his reaction. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of fear. And just as I'm thinking we could be playing broom polo, he humped his back and bucked like I’ve never felt before. I remember trying to bring his nose around and the next thing I remember, I was smacking the ground head first, right above my eye….

I belong to many chat groups – mostly just lurk except on those I moderate. It seems no matter what the group, there are topics that people are so passionate about that when brought up, the conversations always tend to go south. Two that come to mind are barefoot vs. shod and helmets. I think I’ll just stick to one for today. Helmets. There are strong opinions from both camps. Although statistics support it, common sense tells me I have less of a chance of a head injury if I hit my head while wearing a helmet. And truly, I don’t care what you do. It is your choice. Your head. Your life. So instead of having to say “but, but , but” when the topic comes up again – and it will – I can just refer to this blog which really is, just my opinion thrown in with some statistical information.

I wear my helmet probably 95% of the time and I am smart enough to know I should wear it every time. (I just wanted to have that 5% disclaimer in case one of you catches me without it.) I ask that my sons (ages 14 & 12) wear a helmet 100% of the time and they do probably 99% of the time. Their exceptions are not valid, but sometimes it just happens. My husband does not wear a helmet. That is his choice. He didn’t use to wear a seatbelt either and now he does. So perhaps he will come around. In my riding circle, I have more friends who do wear helmets than those who don’t. I don’t judge them either way. I know people who are very vocal about wearing a helmet and those who are very adamant they never will. There are extremes to every cause.

Let’s just say I’m not an extremist but I make an informed decision. While it is true that most of the time when you fall from a horse; you probably won’t fall on your head and while it’s also true a helmet will not protect your neck, I wear a helmet for the times when I may fall and I may hit my head. The statistics support there is more of a likelihood that you will receive a head or brain injury when you strike your head. A helmet reduces that risk. Broken bones will most likely heal, a brain injury may not.

Do I give myself a false sense of security by wearing a helmet? Do I take unnecessary chances just because I wear a helmet? No. Once the helmet is on my head, I give it no more thought than I give my boots; it’s just part of my gear. Sometimes after a ride, I have to be reminded to take it off. And I was surprised to find they were not too hot. If you don’t ever wear a hat, you might be uncomfortable at first. But if you normally wear a ball cap or cowboy hat, I think you will find a helmet might be a tad bit cooler with the ventilation helmets offer.

I think the biggest problem about wearing a helmet is the awkwardness of it. Not in the fit or the look, or the flat hair, but in the perception some people have that helmets are just for the inexperienced, unconfident or poor riders. Look around at those who routinely wear helmets. Endurance riders, eventers, fox hunters, hunter/jumpers, and jockeys, to name a few of our top equestrians. We are in good company and I doubt many of those riders even have conversations about helmets. They know the pros to wearing one. I am disappointed that more clinicians and trainers do not wear a helmet or promote helmet use with their students. You would think that would be the first safety option which comes to mind.

True confession. When I started riding again as an adult, I never wore a helmet. I bought them for my kids, but never enforced using them. When my horse stepped on my ankle and broke it while I was on the ground – I wasn’t even riding -- I realized how easily and unexpectedly accidents happen & that clip to my ankle could have been my head or that of one of my sons. And as a result, helmets became a part of our required riding gear. I truly believe my example made the transition easier on my sons. Months later when I saw my youngest thrown from the back of his horse and a crack in the back of his helmet from that fall, I celebrated that decision!

The Statistics

It’s not speed that kills. It’s “gees”. Three hundred gees is the international threshold for serious brain injuries. A fall from 3’, if unprotected can result in an acceleration of more than 300 gees. When riding a horse, your head is usually 6’ off the ground. Approved helmets cannot allow more than 300 gees to pass through it. I don’t have to be a stinkin’ actuary to know that reduces my risk.

The University of Nebraska Extension, partnering with Washington State University, reports that over 60% of all horse related deaths involve head injuries. Read that carefully. It’s not 60% of all falls that cause head injuries, 60% of the time that you hit your head in a fall, you die! Six out of 10 times.

A study done by the University of Nevada reviewed 641 equine accidents from 1986 – 1996. They also reported 60% of all head injuries result in death. In addition, offered these statistics:

• Of the 14 equine related deaths during the 10 year time period, 90% were the result of head injuries. Twelve of the 14 who died, died from head injuries.
• 88% of those who died fell from their horse, were kicked in the head when on the ground. They never hit their head on the ground or a rock. They were kicked in their head after they fell from the horse.
  

If I backed into those statistics looking for a way out of wearing a helmet, I probably could convince myself they aren’t necessary. And I probably wouldn’t have had one on the day I took head-dive from the colt last summer. And I am pretty sure I would have had more than just a headache that day. We all make choices in our horse life. What to feed, how to trim, riding disciplines and breed preferences. Barefoot or shod. Helmets are just another choice and a choice I make.

Equestrian Medical Safety Association and reprinted on Horsetrailriders.com

University of Nebraska Helmet Equine Safety; Every Ride Every Time

And Off Again... Literally.

Yesterday I posted the following story on Horsetales. One may find it unusual for me to post this detail about a horse I have for sale. "Yep, no one is going to buy that one now," you might be thinking. Perhaps. But, get to the end of the blog for the thoughts from today -- which may give you a different perspective.

Here was my Horsetales Post:

My last blog entry was titled “Back on Black”. This one could be titled “And Now Off the Black”. Didn’t I say I just wasn’t interested in riding young horses anymore? That something about this horse has always put me on edge? Three steps forward, two steps back? Well, I’m not sure there is any turning back now. I think I’m done.

I have a big camping weekend coming up in just a week and a half. And decided up until that time, I will ride Black or one of the others rather than risk Windy getting hurt – especially when some of the places we ride are muddy and slick right now. Since this morning’s ride was going to be in the arena, figured it was as good a place as any to ride Black. And felt extra good about the day when he loaded into the two horse trailer on the first send, stood quietly while I picked his feet and seemed very level as I lunged him in the round pen in an unfamiliar arena.

Sticky feet. Told Sheila that Brenda recommends ground driving to help with that. He would follow other horses, but real reluctant to go and explore on his own. So we started by following Deb and Jim and then Cooper and Sheila. We’d break off, circle and then come back to the group. Truly, we were to the point of taking extended stays at other less populated areas of the arena. We checked out the stuffed gorilla, the barrels, followed Jim through the poles. Put one foot on a plank placed in the arena -- couldn’t get the other foot on it, but one was good. He snorted at the yellow tarp but then relaxed. I wouldn’t let him cross it as I have a fear of shod horses and tarps, so that was my choice not to – but kind of think he may have.

Deb brought out a big ball. This caught Black’s attention. Almost the same reaction as he had to cows last winter at Chance Ridge. Ears up, alert & moving toward the ball. Jess’ Cutter was moving it and Black was perhaps at his shoulder or flank. I sensed he only had an interest in the ball, not a fear.

I’ve heard people say “the horse just blew!” And I always believed there had to be something that caused “the blow”. Whether it be a tack problem, a spook, insects… I was of the assumption that SOMETHING has to happen. But as the six of us dissected the event, none of us could come up with a reason. He reacted like he had something wrapped around his legs. He didn’t, but that was the reaction as he tucked his head, rounded his back and four feet left the ground like a bronc out of the gate at a rodeo. I recall riding out a few of the blasts. Thinking once about trying to one rein stop, but the hand couldn’t coordinate it – either I was hanging on or the brainwaves just wouldn’t work. I remember not wanting to fall close to his feet. I recall hearing Sheila say “get back” or something to that sort. The girls say I lasted 8 seconds, but I think they were being nice.

My helmet took the impact right above the left temple followed by my jaw and shoulder. I think my elbow went into my ribs. I have a new growth under my left knee that Deb says looks like a grew a new appendage. Wasn’t sure if it came from the impact of a hoof. John says its hoof sized. My right knee is also bruised – I think it could have collided with my left knee… so who knows. I ate dirt and sawdust and saw my horse continue to buck on down the arena.

Why is it when you fall from a horse, your first impulse is to get up quickly and announce “I’m okay!” And I did get up and I was okay. But I also sat back down just to catch my breath and assess the damage, if any. Good to have two nurses on hand when you take a dive! I am pretty sure Polly was ready to call 911; but I convinced her I just needed water. The other nurse, Sheila, caught the beast and put him in the round pen.

When I got up from the arena ground for the second time, I had flashes of injured football players rising and the fans applauding! I wanted to applaud for myself. I’m 47 years old and took quite a fall and everything still seems to work. I’m alive! And then I hobbled to the round pen and lunged my Black colt and with Sheila’s help, I got back on. I rode him for a few minutes and gladly followed Sheila’s advise that enough was enough… don’t’ push it. And I didn’t.

I rode Jake for a bit and then Cooper. But with the “appendage” growing out of my shinbone right into where I touch the saddle, it wasn’t comfortable. But the boys took good care of me when I dropped the stirrup.

My good friend, Kathy Newberg, told me not to take offense at what she was going to say – that I was “no trainer” and I shouldn’t be doing this. She is right. I’m not and I shouldn’t. I’m not out to prove anything – just trying to build a future for this horse. But I think I’ve gone as far as I can. I know this. And McCain knows it, too, when I came hobbling into the house tonight.

He’s a good age. We’ve taken him a lot of places and asked him to do things on the trail that a lot of horses haven’t done. He just needs the holes I left open, filled in. I believe the colt is very insecure. He needs a strong leader and a consistent training regimen. I can’t give him either.

What his future hold; I can’t say. My head hurts right now. And my knee. I’ll think about it tomorrow or the next day….

Oh, and am I ever grateful I had a helmet on my head. I did see stars when I hit, but the helmet took the brunt of the impact. I would hate to have thought about that force without it.



Today's Perspective

Today I woke up to new aches and pains. No worse for the wear than yesterday and truth be known, I feel better mentally and physically. My shinbone still has a huge lump that is turning some crazy colors and my entire body feels like it did when I was in a car accident some time ago. But none of the pieces are broken. I think I'll live.

I mentioned on Horsetales that this horse needs someone more confident than I am and a consistent training regimen to be successful. I still stand by this thought. But the interesting comment I had was from a very respected horsewoman who knows this horse and knows horse behavior, especially in regards to cow work. She said:

"I can give you my guess as to what happened with the Black colt as
I've seen it many times when a colt first alerts to something that
puts him into the chase mode. First they loose any attention they
have on their rider or just decide that they would rather dump the
rider to get on with the game. Almost always happens the first time
a colt is sent after a cow – for that matter may it even happen with
a broke horse when given permission to chase on a loose rein. The
more intent the horse is on the object he is chasing the more likely
he will buck on a loose rein on the initial run.

I watched the Black horse when you first introduced him to chasing
cattle and knew immediately that he was intent on the game. He has a lot of "cow" in him.

You said that his ears went forward and his attention went to the
ball. I would be willing to bet that you also felt him loosen up his
stickiness at the same time. Sure not making any excuses for the
horse but know you're wondering why he did what he did. He blew
because he wanted to play his own game on his own terms. Sure
doesn't make it hurt any less but may give you some idea as to why it
happened."

If I didn't know better, I would have thought this person was in the arena with me. But she wasn't. But the horse pretty much mirrored what she mentions. Does it change anything with me? Not sure. I really don't think we need him. The trust is broken; its going to be hard to get that back. But I don't want to drop him at a sale and hope for the best. The only thing I have decided so far is to continue to work with him as I can. May not be in the saddle, but there are other options. Perhaps a real cowboy will read this and tell me "Hey, I'll take your pony!" :)

Meanwhile, I'll show you my bruise like a badge of honor! Hey, us horsepeople are weird that way!