I started teaching riding lessons this past fall.My husband told me the first thing I should teach is how to fall off. Ironically enough this is because of some of my personal misadventures with horses. I would like to share a few of these experiences in hopes that I can teach someone else what not to do.
One of my experiences occurred on a hot spring day. I decided to go for a ride. I saddled my old gelding up (old but far from docile)I set off accross the field with my 4 dogs following. Of course I had on flip flops and shorts instead of pants and boots. I started down a slight incline when 1 of the dogs jumped out and spooked my horse. He immediately started bucking. I attempted to calm him and pulled his rein to the side and got my shorts caught on the horn and completely lost control and was thrown off which took a few minutes because I was caught on the horn. My shorts and underpants ripped at the crotch and I hit the ground with a thud. My horse took off for the barn and the dogs were licking me. I cathered as much composure as possible and headed back toward the house when 1 of my kids came to check on me on the 4 wheeler and I told them to get their dad. He came out in the jeep and I was glad he was alone because I was pretty much naked from the waste down. Lesson learned 1 wear jeans and boots 2 know where the dogs are. Fortunately my only injuries were bruises to my abdomen and thigh which lasted for 3 months.
On a windy fall afternoon I had been working with a mare I had just started riding and had not ridden her in a while. I had ridden her on trails and in the ring at a walk and trot but never a canter. I rode her in the ring at a walk and a trot for a while and got board. I took her out of the ring and she was doing beautifully. I moved her into a trot and all was going great. She started to spead up and I thought this is as good a time as any to canter. As soon as she went into a canter she dropped her head and started bucking like a bronc. Of course I had on pants and boots. I went flying off to the ground and the horse went to the barn. Once again I had to pick myself up and walk back to the barn. There was no help home that time. Lesson 3 don't let a horse drop it's head.
One late summer afternoon my husband had been nagging me to move my horses to the other pasture because there was more grass. I had been grooming my horses and decided to move them at that time. My barn is over 70 feet long with a cement floor except where the stalls are. My father in law was sitting at a table inside the barn. I had 7 horses at that time so in my wisdom I decided to take them 2 at a time.I attached a leadstrap to 1 horse and instead of getting 2 lead straps put the other end through the other horses halter. I got between the horses and had hold of the lead rope by each of their heads and began leading them out of the barn. I got to th large door going out of the barn and a flag hanging at the end of the barn flapped in the wind spooking the 2 horses who some how got the lead rode under my arms and drug me the 70 feet back to their stalls on the concrete floors knocking over chair almost wiping out my father in law and they stopped. I was laying unable to move with my head between 2 1000 pound animals that were scarred. Thank God they did not kick me in the head.Getting up was not as easy this time. I got to the house with the help of my father in law and he took the 4 wheeler to find my husband who then took me to the emergency room. I fractured my back and elbo this time as well as bruised every muscle in my body. It took me 6 months to heal up this time. Lesson learned 4 never lead 2 horses at once 5 be aware of your surroundings.
At this point you would think I had learned my lessons, but NO not me.
My son was home on leave from the army. He was bored and he and his fiance went shopping. I didn't want to go so I thought I would take a ride. I saddled up a young horse I had been breaking and lead her to the ring after making sure the flag was not flapping. I had placed some logs in the ring to start walking her over as part of her training. 1 log was heavy so I left it close to the fence. I lunged her for a while and then started riding her at a walk and a trot. She was doing beautifully. I decided that it was time to start walking over thoses logs. I went ove to the big one by the fech because she could see it well. I tried to get her to go across. She did not want to go across. I rode around again and went back to the log and she did not want to go over the log. I stood her there for a while and then urged her on a coupld of times (remember this log is close to the fence and I am stepping toward the fence). She decided to go and put 1 foot across and then jumped almost into the fence. She got upset and started bucking. I kept her head up, tried to turn her but I lost the battle and fell off on my right shoulder and heard a crack. The horse went running around the ring. I tried to get up but couldn't. My father in law ( have pitty on the man) came running to help me. He got me up and to the house and I kept telling him to check on the horse and get her out up. Once again it took a 4 wheeler to find my husband who once again took me to the emergency room. This time I fractuered my collar bone. Do not believe a doctor when they tell you that it only takes 4 to 6 weeks for a fracture to heal. 12 weeks later I was healed up. Ironically I had to stay away from the horses for a while and when I did go to ride again thre straps on my saddle had been tamen off on the wrong side and my bridle was in pieces. Lesson 6 do not try to cross a log mounted untill you can do it by leading the horse 7 do not place a log next to the fence to cross.
OK now you know that this woman has learned all about being safe around a horse. No not yet.
I started teaching riding lessons in the fall and had been doing all ring work with an adult student. I decided it was time to take her out on the trails. I had taught her everything I knew plus a few of the fore mentions lessons on safety. I though I would ride both training horses on the trail to see which behaved the best for her to ride. I rode a sweet little gelding I had and he did great. I then rode a short fat mare and she did alright but did not want to cross the creek. I led her across the creek with ne at her side an arms length away and she went across. I though the new rider would to best on the other horse so when she came out for her lesson I rode the short fat mare. At the creek she did not want to go. I got off and standing at her side an arms length away tried to lead her. She was stubborn and would not go even after multiple attempts. I then crossed the creek and gave her a yank with the reins. She jumped high in the air an knocked me to my knees and flad on my face. Of course I had the wind knowcked out of me but could not show my student I was hurt. I jumped up turned around and said to my wide eyed student " that's why you never lead a horse by standing in front of it". I got back on the horse. We finished our ride. As soon as she left I went and took some pain medication and layed down. Lesson 8 do not lead a horse standing in front of it.
Fine now I have learned all of my lessons? Not?
I sold a horse. I was sad and I had raised him from a baby. I hadn't cried. I had been worried about him loading in the trailer because I had never loaded him before. He went in easily. I told my husband I was goiung to tell him good bye. I went over to the trailer (which was a stacok trailer with lots of open space) said good bye big boy, put my arm through the bars to pat him. I scared the crap out of him he jumped pinning my arm to the top of the bar briefly. I had the most excruciating pain I had ever had. I almost passed out. The 2 men that were picking up the horse scooted off my husband held me up long enough for my daughter to get me a chair. I had a huge black knot on my arm and just knew it was broken. My husband takes me to the emergency room again. Fortunately I did not have any broken bones just a huge hematoma. My poor husband told me they were going to think he beats me we were in there so much for all my injuries. Lesson 9 do not stick your arm in a trailer to pet a horse.
Well finally I think I have learned enough lessons. I hope to go on riding without having to learn any new rules. I teach my students that the horse does not cause the injury or accident, the rider does
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