Should Have Worn a Helmet

6/4/2018

There are days when I think that I should wear a helmet the second I arrive at the barn - even when I am not riding. Saturday was one of those days.

After I had ridden both horses and they were both tucked away, I puttered around, finishing my chores. As I was rinsing feed buckets, the last thing I do before I leave for the day, I remembered that I wanted to daub a little Equiderma Skin Lotion on a one of Izzy's pasterns.

He was slurping up his beet pulp as I walked up to him. I shook the bottle a few times to mix it up and then leaned down to feel his pastern. The next thing I knew, the world went black. When I next opened my eyes, I was lying in the dirt rubbing my head.

This fence. The pole is right behind his butt.

It took me a minute to figure out what had happened. I think I startled Izzy when I touched him, and he must have spooked hard enough to knock me into the pipe fencing, bashing my head into the pole. I laid in the dirt for quite a few minutes boohooing as I checked my scalp for blood. My neck hurt and so did my head. Poor Izzy stared at me lying in the dirt with a very worried look on his face.

After making sure that nothing was broken, I sent a text to my husband explaining why I wouldn't be picking up lunch on my way home. When I walked in the front door, he had an ice pack and some ibuprofen waiting for me. After icing, I took a two hour nap and even went to bed early.

I spent the rest of the weekend gently probing my skull, checking on the tenderness. It hurts enough this morning that even my sun hat caused me some discomfort. I am on my way to the barn this morning. Before I saddle up, I am going to check to see if I can even wear my helmet. No helmet means no riding.

See what I mean about needing a helmet while not riding? Like they say, it's not if we'll get hurt but when ... Sheesh.

8 Comments

Tracy

6/4/2018 07:48:49 am

Well my dear, that is what they call a concussion. Please take it easy for the next several days or week. Personally have had 3 now and can attest to "they get worse the more you have". The last one (yes, I was wearing a helmet), I cannot remember a thing about how or where it happened or a 6 hour period from when I left the barn to when I was finally home from the ER. Can't say I had any long lasting effects from it, but I am very careful now. Now, none of mine have occurred while on the ground, but you can fall anywhere and hit your head. On another note, I LOVE that helmet! Not crazy about the way the Ovations fit me, but that is a classy one. Please don't fall on your head again, especially in that pretty helmet!

Bakersfield Dressage link

6/7/2018 06:38:45 am

You probably already read my follow up post, Tracy, but I have had a few concussions of my own as well. Some were worse than others. My husband is pretty good about expressing his opinion on whether or not we should hit the ER. LOL Nothing to joke about, but we definitely take hits to the head seriously. Thanks for sharing and reminding. :0)

draftmare link

6/4/2018 09:57:31 am

I would highly recommend skipping the barn for a few days if you can. Sounds like you have a concussion, and those are not something to mess around with. I have had one from a riding accident and I hope I never have another one. That was a really rough few days, and I still occasionally have memory issues that I think are related to that concussion.

Bakersfield Dressage link

6/7/2018 06:41:19 am

Fortunately, I didn't have any of the effects typically experienced with a concussion, and I did take it very easy for a couple of days. My neck hurts more than anything - pretty sure I had whiplash. I shared the accident because it is important to be aware that horses are very powerful and can hurt us from the saddle and the ground. Thanks for sharing. :0)

Mia

6/4/2018 10:28:22 am

I've started wearing my helmet frequently when just handling the horses. I've read too many stories like yours to think I'm any safer on the ground than on top.

Hope your head feels better soon!

Bakersfield Dressage link

6/7/2018 06:42:41 am

Right? I wear mine for lunging and other ground work. I haven't taken to wearing it while grooming though as it does hinder your vision a bit. I feel fine, thanks!

Dom

6/4/2018 02:31:52 pm

I definitely wear my helmet more and more, even when I'm not riding. The horses can certainly do something unpredictable at any given moment, but I'm also clumsy and end up hitting my head more often than I should admit. I hope you'll be feeling better soon <3 Take care of yourself.

Bakersfield Dressage link

6/7/2018 06:45:50 am

The problem with wearing a helmet all the time is that I hit my head MORE often. I guess with more frequent wear, I'd develop a better sense of my personal space. My helmet is comfortable, but not comfortable to wear all the time. LOL

I have been super careful the last few days though about being "louder" when I approach my boys. Even so, accidents just happen as you well know. :0)

About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
Welcome to my dressage journey.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

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About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

May 2018

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

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National Awards

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

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Score 2: 61.282%
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Second Level Scores:
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USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award
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USDF Bronze Medal
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