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The Right Way to Fall off a Horse

© Renee Landkamer

Sorry everyone for my last article. I was giving myself a pep talk (hehe). I moved out to the country (sort of) and am getting ready for a horse. With that in mind, I begin this article (which is over two weeks late - aargh).

Friday, I happened to be at the farm where "my" pony is. This pony is going to be loaned to me until I can either buy him or buy my own horse. My eight year old cousin, who lives out of the country most of the time, came to see the farm. He spotted the horse (Nugget) and naturally wanted to know if he could ride. Seeing how the horse's job is to give rides to small children and myself, I said yes. I got Nugget ready, and he seemed extra beligerant, refusing to take his bit and all. Well, my cousin had at another time fallen from a horse (the horse had spooked and run off), and he wanted to be sure that Nugget was safe to ride. He asked me if I would ride a bit first to let him know it was OK. Being the horse lover that I am, I naturally stuck my foot in the stirrup and tried to hop up. The saddle slid directly under the horse's belly. I repositioned the saddle, tightened it and hopped on again. I turned the horse so he was headed up the driveway and walked a little way. My cousin ventured to ask if he could see Nugget run. Knowing that Nugget is a trusty little pony who can run, but only if given much notice, I made him ride up the driveway at a trot, then back into a field that he especially likes to run around in. I turned him around and got him up to a nice, fast trot and finally got him to a canter. He started his canter right when we left the field and got onto the gravel driveway. He was running oddly. I tried to get him to slow down, but he couldn't. I felt myself sliding forward off the saddle. Nugget stopped. I flew. Directly over his head I went headfirst. I pulled my arm in front of myself and felt myself bounce off the gravel, landing on my hip and arm. When I didn't feel any hooves on top of me, I thought "Oh great, Nugget is running down the driveway, isn't he?" I got up and saw Nugget standing by his pen, half frightened and half concentrating on the clover he was munching. Obviously, Nugget had done a 90 degree turn as soon as he felt me slide and had run to safety, away from angry hands that slap. I must admit that I was a bit angry, but I was happy because Nugget was safe and sound, and I was alright. I ran to put Nugget back in his pen and find out what went wrong, completely ignoring my Grandma's "Are you OK? Nothing broken, is it?" I took of Nugget's saddle and bridle and put them away. I went back to Nugget and immediatly looked at his hooves. Sure enough, his front hoof was badly cracked, and his rear hooves were badly chipped. I gave him some clover, letting him know I wasn't mad. I told my aunt this and she said that Nugget's owner had a visit from the farrier planned for the next day. Aside from a neat story and a sore hip and elbow, I now have only a pretty purple/blue/green/yellow bruise on my arm, as well as some pink and red-brown scrapes to show for it :).