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Worst falls

10K views 65 replies 37 participants last post by  Starlite 
#1 ·
Let's hear it. We are in it for the same gratifications and the same goals and the same ultimate passion BUT we have had our shares of falls, bad ones at that.

Not only do I want to hear about some of your worst falls but also what has kept you into horses, what drives you to get back in the saddle and keep going? Let's see some photos of you and your horse, the fall, or pics of what resulted from the fall.


:D
 
#2 ·
I don't have any pictures of my falls but I do have a story of my worst fall.

When I was 17 I was working at a ranch putting miles on problem horses. My boss had bought a small two year old paint colt that had 90 days on him already (He was far to young and much to small) I asked my boss not to buy him. I was convinced that he would be sore and ruined from being worked so hard for such a young boy. But my boss bought him anyways. (He was a horse trader and didn't keep horses around very long anyways and his theroy was, "Well he is pretty and broke and I'll sell him before any problems come up!") Wrong!

I had to ride him, against my better judgement. My boss watched me work. I would only ride him for about 20 mins every 3 days, hoping that this would not make any problems come up. On our 10th ride together I brought him into the arena, lunged him and mounted up. As usual he was being a sweetheart. We walked around the arena 3-4 times and all of a sudden he lost it. He gave one hard buck and came up straight up in the air, his front legs collapsed and me and the horse when straight over. I broke my nose, cracked 4 rib, got the saddle horn in my leg.

I never once blamed the horse and I never thought abut quitting I just took some time off and I now refuse to ride horses under 3 years of age.
 
#3 ·
thankfully I've only fallen off once, but it was horrible enough.

We were having a Valentine's Day party at the barn...we were running barrels. It was Sonny's turn...since I had just gotten him recently we just trotted around the barrels and he did great. We went around all 4 barrels (yes we used 4 for this) and as we were going back, my friend, who was timing us, yelled "you're going to win. hurry!" so I asked for a extended trot. About 3 feet from the finish line, Sonny tripped on air (or his own feet) and fell forward. I was in an English saddle, and I lost my banace but stayed on. Sonny regained his footing...but when he did I lost my balance even more and fell directly on my chin. It was horrible. I laid there for a while and then got up and I couldn't walk straight. I was sore for a week afterwards
 
#5 ·
My2Geldings said:
What got you to keep focus and keep on riding?
well mainly due to the fact that I knew it wasn't really his fault, after I fell he turned around and looked at me with his big brown eyes as if to say "I'm sorry, mommy, I didn't mean it"

One time I was riding a Gypsy Vanner and he reared up on me during a lesson for no reason and I was sooo afraid. I loved riding so I didn't want to stop, but I was afraid to ride that horse. So I simply switched horses...and finally after 6 months, I've gotten back on that horse.
 
#6 ·
I didn't really have that many terrible falls (luckily) but some were embarrasing. lol.

Okay, so I was @ my barn's local show last summer. Lexi was being a little brat hehe she was kinda in heat so it's not like it was surprising. :P Plus, she used to spook a lot from crowds.
Anyway, we were cantering around the arena, when all of a sudden she starts spooking @ the crowd (people were loud) & started bucking out of frustration. She didn't really wanna work that day.
I kept turning her in circles, when all of a sudden she like SHOOTS off in the other direction (remember everyone is watching!) & I basically fly off, hitting my side into the fence. Ouch.
I was okay, but I really was embarrased. Then Lexi came & ran to me, LOL I thought she was gonna run me over! But she didn't. I like how she does that though...comes right back to me, so I don't have to go alllllll the way to the other side of the arena (where she had run to). ;)

Another time, this fall was kinda painful: :evil:

I was hacking out with my friends. We were cantering, & there was this like huggeeee branch. Lexi of course was going pretty fast (we all were), so I didn't duck in time, the branch basically pushed me right outta the saddle, & I landed in a sticker bush!!!! My whole right arm had some scrapes from it, ouch. So I walked the rest of the way to the barn lol, owww.
 
#7 ·
OK... other than the obvious being a kid and doing stupid s...tuff. :wink:
- I have fallen off the rump trying to ride double up a way to big hill...kicked in the shoulder for that little trick.
- I have simply fallen off trying to ride bareback and bridleless :roll:
- I have tried to ride a green horse and ended up black & blue :shock:
- The worst I was ever hurt was I cracked my tail bone on a trail ride once...The horse behind mine bit my horse on the rump. My horse proceeded to kick and buck like there was no tomorrow...I rode the ejection seat deluxe flew up in the air and landed square on my ****. I waddled back to the barn after that one. :wink:

I have fallen more than that, guess its a good thing my momma made me drink my milk...no broken bones...knock on wood.

I have alwasy had this crazy NEED to be around horses, even when I didn't own one. Something inside me says...SHUT UP BRAIN!...GET ON THAT HORSE! YOU KNOW U WANNA :lol:
 
#8 ·
Most of you probably already know my fall story but for those that havent read it here goes. This last November I was riding with my husband as usual. We were at a full gallop when my husband stopped short in front of me at the same time I was turning Vida to go around him. I was ready to make the turn but not the stop. Which Vida did simultaniously. I lost my balance and fell off flat on my back breaking 3 bones in my spine. The little bones that stick out the sides of the vertibrae. I knew I was hurt bad, but we were a few miles from home so figured I could get back on and ride...NOT.
Tony got the horses home and came back for me in the truck then straight to the emergency room. I spent most of the winter flat on my back on very nice pain killers.
I was a little nervous the first time I got back on but there is nothing short of paralysis that would keep me out of the saddle. I'm not quite back up to galloping yet, but we're working on it :D
 
#9 ·
wow vida, that´s bad :eek:
I really haven´t had a bad fall, but i have had a fall that was pretty scary to me
I was around 6 years old and was trotting for one of the first times in a looong row of kids on a trail.
Then my saddle came loose and slid to the side and i somehow managed to stay on, but trotting feet at your face throwing gravel everywhere isn´t excatly something that puts your mind at ease ! thankfully my horse was just lazy and stopped to eat after a while, and then i just let my self fall !
but being the happy-go-lucky kid i was i just asked for help to fix my saddle, got up and trotted home :wink:

hmm. this sounds super-lame but it was pretty scary, keep in mind I was young :lol:
 
#10 ·
:shock: That gives a whole new meaning to perseverance. Very inspiring I think.
Had a bad fall a few years ago which resulted in some photos which might not quite be suited for this forum. I broke my wrist and hip and have had 9 surgeries to fix them all.

What keeps me in the saddle? I think its that thought of my horses when I go to bed at night. I think its that smell when I open the door of the barn, I think its the look on my horse's faces when they see me walk towards the front gate.

I could not imagine doing anything else.
 
#12 ·
Also, I'd like to add that when I do fall, I usually ALWAYS get back on. :D I like to keep going, & not give up. If you like fall, then never get back on, then you'll never improve. Plus it's a confidence-booster. :)
Ouch, M2G, that looks really painful. :(
 
#13 ·
I've had a few bad spills...broke my left ankel...and have NAILED my left knee on a tree when a horse bolted. ...something about the left side of my body...is unlucky.

But...after all that I think the worst fall I've ever had was when I was riding my gelding Reminick in the arena. There's a huge tree in the middle of it and I was cantering around it when a couple turkeys flew out of it and spooked Remi...and me. It happened so quick I don't even remember him tripping...if he did...but he fell over sideways. I do remember not hearing ANYTHING...everything around me went silent for a minute because I was so shook up. He had of course landed on my ***left*** (yeah lol) leg and I thought it was broke...but it wasn't. My whole leg was bruised pretty bad, and he was fine.

It was just one of those moments where you realize that life can go sideways in the blink of an eye.

I've never once thought about not getting back on. Falling doesn't scare me, just makes me more cautious and I learn from my mistakes. Horses are my life and falling is part of it.
 
#14 ·
Wow M2G we should compare Xrays :lol: No surgury for me though, not recommended and I wouldn't do it if it was. The bones just float around back there and always will. :? I can feel them moving once in awhile, kinda weird feeling.
I forgot another fall from a OTTB I used to have. I have a chipped front tooth from that one. :D we need a toothless smiley face.
 
#15 ·
Vidaloco said:
Wow M2G we should compare Xrays :lol: No surgury for me though, not recommended and I wouldn't do it if it was. The bones just float around back there and always will. :? I can feel them moving once in awhile, kinda weird feeling.
I forgot another fall from a ottb I used to have. I have a chipped front tooth from that one. :D we need a toothless smiley face.
For you my dear :lol:




Not all in one sitting tho, those were from a few falls
:D :D
 
#16 ·
I may add other than being to do a few party tricks now :lol: life is great. I would never consider quitting horses, not ever. These I acquired from my mistakes and mine only.
They are the most amazing, beautiful creatures and they deserve to be treated that way, the rest is up to me to take it, learn from it and move on. It's part of life! :D
 
#17 ·
Wow My2Geldings, you have more screws in you than a tool box!
The pelvis one is a doesy :shock:

Well i have fallen pleanty, and many of them wernt pleasant.
Once when i was about 9 , riding my first horse a 15hh old farm horse. He slipped over while we were trotting , my tiny foot got caught under him as i kinda just stuck to him instead of trying to kinda get out. Resulting in a fractured foot. Lol i got straight back on after that and rode with my foot out of the stirrup and finnished the ride :lol: didnt go to the doctors till the next day, hehe.

Another time when i was 13 , my horse Banjo bucked me off and i fractured my wrist , got a migrane at the same time :roll: that has been the absoulutly only time that i can recall that i didnt get back on.

Some other bad times but i didnt get to hurt...proberly more a close call.
Horse refused a jump ( lol Banjo again ) i flew over his head and landed on the jump :( brused my hip.

Banjo again....we got bogged in mud up to Banjos stomach while i was riding him...thats was extremely scary :shock: as i was riding alone about an hour from home. But we came out unhurt, just covered in very smelly mud :lol:

And Foxy my other horse bucked me off after we jumped a ditch, i landed flat on my back. And because it was the middle of summer the ground was rock hard...so my back and neck muscles were sore for a while after that one.


And my reason to keep going...hmmm..
Because i dont like to give in to gravity :lol:

I am a very determined person, and the good times for me make the falls not matter so much. I absloutly hate to quit on somthing im doing so must see it to the end. So falling off i see as part of a ghallenge to my determination.....lol which makes me more determined :D

I even believe if i became paralized or somthing from riding or any accident i would still make myself ride. Because i have no intention of ever giving it up :wink:
 
#18 ·
Bitless said:
Wow My2Geldings, you have more screws in you than a tool box!
The pelvis one is a doesy :shock:

Well i have fallen pleanty, and many of them wernt pleasant.
Once when i was about 9 , riding my first horse a 15hh old farm horse. He slipped over while we were trotting , my tiny foot got caught under him as i kinda just stuck to him instead of trying to kinda get out. Resulting in a fractured foot. Lol i got straight back on after that and rode with my foot out of the stirrup and finnished the ride :lol: didnt go to the doctors till the next day, hehe.

Another time when i was 13 , my horse Banjo bucked me off and i fractured my wrist , got a migrane at the same time :roll: that has been the absoulutly only time that i can recall that i didnt get back on.

Some other bad times but i didnt get to hurt...proberly more a close call.
Horse refused a jump ( lol Banjo again ) i flew over his head and landed on the jump :( brused my hip.

Banjo again....we got bogged in mud up to Banjos stomach while i was riding him...thats was extremely scary :shock: as i was riding alone about an hour from home. But we came out unhurt, just covered in very smelly mud :lol:

And Foxy my other horse bucked me off after we jumped a ditch, i landed flat on my back. And because it was the middle of summer the ground was rock hard...so my back and neck muscles were sore for a while after that one.


And my reason to keep going...hmmm..
Because i dont like to give in to gravity :lol:

I am a very determined person, and the good times for me make the falls not matter so much. I absloutly hate to quit on somthing im doing so must see it to the end. So falling off i see as part of a ghallenge to my determination.....lol which makes me more determined :D

I even believe if i became paralized or somthing from riding or any accident i would still make myself ride. Because i have no intention of ever giving it up :wink:
Yes I agree with you tho I think thats something that would finally stop me. I would probably try on a different hobby with horses.
 
#19 ·
I've fallen quite a few times... only two falls were 'bad' though... I've managed to fall off our old Arab gelding (he's not here anymore, we traded him) from a straight up standstill.

My mare has tossed me a few times... once it knocked me unconsious and she trampled me (my foot got hung in the stirrup)... and the last time we were alongside a bbank and the bank caved in with us.
 
#21 ·
i have fallen off a few times...not many (i almost did one time.....it would have killed me :shock: )

any way....FALL ONE

i was coming back from a trail ride and vince was fighting for his head and prancing a little bit. i held him back until we were right at the end of the ride...about 50-60 metres away from all the others. suddlenly vince did a massive buck...now he's bucked heaps of times among other naughty things like taking off and jumping out off the arena and i've stayed on (my family/friends/instructor call me super-glue sometimes :lol: ......i guess i've just gotten used to him :D) but this buck wasn't like any of the others and although i was ready for his 'naughtyness' i wasn't ready for this. i came over his back and hit my head pretty bad.....i actually blacked out for a minute! my first thought when i came to was if vince was ok. i could see him from where i was lying and he had the reins caught in his front legs. i actually tried to get up and walk over to him but the person tending me wouldn't let me...i had to answer some questions first to check for concussion. after i was cleared i was given some water and the option to get a ride in the car but i said no and hopped back on vince......he was fine on the ride home....perfect in fact!

it was completely my fault......i held him back (he was at the front to start with) making him go a bit crazy and try to rush to catch up with his mates.

just a little fall wouldn't make me stop riding forever.....i'm not that stupid....i think i would die of boredom and grief if i decided to stop riding!

for this one i hurt my wrist minorly, got a few bruises and a blood nose but that was it.

FALL TWO (an embarrasing one.....in the show ring :lol:)

i had been trotting around in the circle and vince was going fine if a little too excited....then the lady asked for a canter. i got him into a canter fine but about 2 or 3 strides in he planted his feet and let off another buck....this time a bigger one...i was ready for it but got thrown off balance..actually i was kinda hanging off the side with my arms around his neck! i tried to scramble onto his back because by this time vince had stopped cantering and was walking. i gave up and kinda let go. i got up from the ground and brushed myself off.....then i caught vince, remounted and asked for a canter.
i didn't win or even place this class but if there was one i think i wouldv'e won wierdest riding position!

(almost) FALL THREE - the one that almost killed me

i had been out riding with my friends and on the way home vince started to canter....i couldn't stop him and he was getting faster and faster. mum had shut the driveway gate without us knowing and thats where vince was headed. the gate was an old style one....with spikes....sharpish spikes. by this time we were 50 metres from home and i could see that the gate was closed. i tried and tried to stop him and turn him around but he just kept going....about 50cms away from the gate vince swerved. i was hanging off the side about 10cms away from those deadly spikes....i was absolutely terrified. if we had've been just 10 cms closer to the gate before he swerved or if he had've stopped and sent me over i probably wouldn't be here....
 
#22 ·
When I was 16 I was being stupid, riding my horse bareback in an open field with just a halter and a lead rope.

We were galloping and she spooked.... I went sailing over her head and broke my lower back.

That was 21 yrs ago.

I still ride. I just try to be safer.

However, my darling Angel tossed me off about 2.5 months ago. To this day I am not sure what happened but next thing I know, I was up over the horn and landed into a round pen metal fence. Broke ribs in front and back on my right side. They are almost completely healed now though.

What kept me riding? The love for horses of course
 
#25 ·
kim_angel said:
When I was 16 I was being stupid, riding my horse bareback in an open field with just a halter and a lead rope.

We were galloping and she spooked.... I went sailing over her head and broke my lower back.

That was 21 yrs ago.

I still ride. I just try to be safer.

However, my darling Angel tossed me off about 2.5 months ago. To this day I am not sure what happened but next thing I know, I was up over the horn and landed into a round pen metal fence. Broke ribs in front and back on my right side. They are almost completely healed now though.

What kept me riding? The love for horses of course
Gosh Kim I didn't know you had fallen from Angel :( Glad you are on the mend.
 
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