I Saw the Fall and Feared the Worst
Posted: Sunday, January 15, 2012
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
It’s just the second Sunday in January of 2012. Here in northern Connecticut, it’s been pleasant enough for this time of year, but it’s catching up with a vengeance. The last couple of days have been frigid, with numbers in the single digits and hitting the zero mark at night. The ground is hard and frozen.
Last Sunday, I brought left-over apple rinds and cores to the three horses. I split these spoils of our apple pieces between them and they thoroughly enjoyed their treat.
Patrick took his first digger. He slipped and fell and skidded sideways. He was dressed in his horse blanket that was covered by a sheet so his body was fairly well protected. This was a hard fall and I held my breath. Patrick got up, shook himself, bucked, and took off running. I could breathe again. Thankfully I watched as he caught up with the two little guys and the three continued playing.
The best friends were having fun racing around, bucking, puffing, snorting, being horses at play. And then, it all happened again – like a nightmare . . .
Patrick went down. I saw it as though it were in slow motion. I stood there, helplessly, watching my horse fall. It was a dreadful, horrendous fall.
Panic grabbed me as I watched him go down not far from where I was standing. As I watched this scene play out in front of me, I stood frozen with fear. How
could he survive this dreadful fall? He momentarily lay there, possibly to catch his breath. God be thanked, Patrick got up. He stood there, remaining motionless for a time, and then he moved, shook himself, and took a few steps. No exuberance this time, just a few steps. He was visibly rattled if I interpreted his body language correctly. I stayed back to observe, not wanting to know more because it might mean something dreadful, steeling myself – there was Patrick standing on four legs. His neck was not broken; he appeared shaken but OK.He had gone down, crumbling onto head and neck, body following. He had been at a full run when he lost his footing and tumbled. It looked at first as though he was going to summersault over completely. Instead, he fell onto his head and neck – he was bent into an unnatural angle. Patrick had to unfold his body parts just to get into position to rise to his feet.
Patrick stood there a moment, dazed, then shook his head. He took several tentative steps, shook his head again.
By now I was trying to check him over. He avoided me and moved off several feet and again shook his head. After several minutes, he allowed me to get the leadrope on him and check him out. His eyes were clear, his breathing was rapid, but he seemed fine. About the only evidence that something had happened was his rapid breathing, his head shaking and he began to sweat. The head shaking continued, but his breathing returned to normal and he cooled down. A few times in the afternoon he pushed the side of his face against a tree and gingerly rubbed it. That was it. He undoubtedly got hurt during the fall but he took it like a horse – he was tough.
It was a horrible fall to watch, knowing what could have, might have, but thankfully did not happen. Patrick's guardian angel, and I'd like to think he has one, helped him that afternoon. I closely monitored my big boy for several days. He was fine, better than fine. He had his appetite, bright eyes and the head shaking ceased. He is as before - attentive, responsive and eager for treats and human companionship.
We dodged a potential bullet. I saw that fall and find it difficult to believe that he didn’t break his neck or injure his spine without help from a greater power.
Once again I realize that every living being is on a slender thread of life that can snap all too easily at any time.
The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)That was intense, and so glad your horse came out okay...gripping and enlightening read.We were very lucky he was scratched up. I'm thinking he was flying across the yard and through the woods. Julie, neighbor, told us she saw him like a blue. Told her I'd have to come by and take care of the divots - she told me not to even bother that the kids make so many divots it didn't matter. So all in all, when he arrived home he wasn't blowing anymore and he could settle back into the stall. He was naughty though to take off.
Maybe he just started running for the joy of it.
Hi Heidi.
I'm so glad that Patrick came through it okay. You had me really worried in the beginning.
Where I ride, the ground does freeze and can stay that way for days, but we have more trouble with mud than anything else. I watched one horse in particular go down in the mud. But she's a tough girl and so far springs right back up each time. Makes my heart lurch to see it though. :(
Hugs,
DianneHe did really scare me. Mitch was out and saw the first fall and visibly gasped at that one. He watched to be sure Patrick was OK and went about his stuff. Never did see the second and worst fall. He just heard me cry out. I don't even remember it. I was stupified and tons of stuff goes through your mind in those split seconds. Frankly, I was afraid. I really thought it was all over for Patrick. When he unfolded and stood up, I watched him for a while before I could get myself together to go over to him. I had to make myself move I was so stupified. It truly was frightening to watch. It would have been awful for any horse, but this was Patrick. He did shake his head and acted pained or loopy somehow. Can't describe it. Just watching him rub the side of his face. He's fine though and I am immensely grateful.
Thank you for commiserating. It was scary.
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