Scare at the country fair

I'm really thankful too, AmbiePam! I had a bad fall from a horse when I was taking riding lessons a few years ago and I admit it really traumatized me. Unfortunately, the farrier had sent an apprentice to tend to the horses and he did not do proper hoof care... so many of their horses were lame. My horse ended up falling because he couldn't get proper footing (they told me it was like he was trying to walk with tennis balls under his feet) and I hit the ground hard. He nearly came down on top of me but I was able to just roll out of the way at the last second. I can't imagine the pain that tiny little girl was in :( I wish I knew if the person that saddled her horse even had a clue what they were doing.

I understand what you mean about nightmares, katsmeow... when my horse and I fell during a riding lesson, I went over his head and hit the ground and, as I looked up, I saw this massive animal falling at me. I rolled the little bit that I could and he crashed down right next to me - but fortunately not ON me. I can still picture it crystal clear to this day and it happened about 8 or 9 years ago! I haven't been riding since the accident either. It can really be traumatizing! My daughter's heart was just broken for the little girl, as she related what had taken place. She kept saying "Mom, she was so cute up there on that huge horse, in her little pink riding clothes and helmet... and suddenly everything went SO wrong!" I honestly don't understand why the horses would be spooked so bad. Maybe something happened at the fair earlier in the day but it's really, really not normal. I agree with you... I have to wonder who saddled that horse.

Riding lessons are really fun :) My niece took them for awhile, when she was 9 I believe, and she adored everything about them... but she was actually allergic to horses and had no way to know that until she started riding. The most important thing is to really do your research before selecting a stable. I made the mistake of choosing the one that was easiest for me to get to. I put convenience over common sense and proper information. It was a family-run business and the parents were aging so they handed over most of the business to their eldest daughter. The girl was still young for all the responsibility and she seemed to cut corners on some of the very important aspects. She was mainly a riding instructor (both English and Western) but, when it came to the administrative tasks, she seemed to drop the ball. The reason for my accident was the farrier. The regular guy had not been able to shoe the horses that week and he sent his apprentice. Apparently, that guy had a lot of personal and emotional problems and he didn't always do the job properly. Without his boss to supervise, he didn't take care of the horses that day and really rushed the job. When I arrived for my lesson, I got a horse that was lame. As it was explained to me later, it was like the horse was trying to walk on four tennis balls under its hooves because they were not cleaned out properly before the new shoes were put on... so he had NO stability. I told my instructor during my lesson that I could feel him slipping all the time and she blamed me -- she said, "You are not pushing him hard enough so he doesn't know what you want him to do. You're making him unsure." I didn't agree with her but I pushed him harder and, while at a gallop, he finally fell, taking me down with him. The instructor fully blamed me for it and she never even checked to see if I was seriously injured. I did ride back to the stable that night and I did show up the following week (I was going with the "get right back on the horse" mentality). However, the mother came to see me when I arrived. She told me she had heard about my fall and apologized profusely. She also was the one to explain about the farrier. I believe she was afraid I would sue them. Anyway, I relate this to say - don't be afraid to get your daughter into riding, if you think she'd like it. I agree with you that it's really expensive (which was mainly why I didn't start riding until my mid-30s) but there are excellent, top-notch stables that will mean she'd have an amazing experience. I'd get some references and really check out places before you choose

That's just awful. I'm glad you're okay. I've never ridden a horse in my life.. except for ponies at the zoo or something. I was seriously debating getting my daughter some riding lessons, I thought she'd love it. Of course it's beyond expensive.. and now after reading this I realize it can be dangerous and now I'm not so sure I want to do it!

grecychunny, you really made a point when you said "all animals are dangerous if they are frightened or not in their normal state." You are so right! Nothing can be taken for granted. Just because a horse is normally calm and docile with the child rider, doesn't mean it won't react as it did. There are reasons horses try to throw their riders and one could have been that improperly secured saddle. I don't want to lay blame on any one person, of course, but it was a horrifying thing to have happen at a fun day. Yes she will be ok for sure... she has to recover from her broken collarbone but that seems to be the extent of her injuries (aside from the expected bumps and bruises, of course).

You know based on your discussion, now I decided to be really careful with animals. I use to touching bomb sniffing dogs when I see one in the mall, but I know since we do not have same level of intelligence, as I am human, they might be dangerous and not friendly once they got frightened. We need to be careful with any animals we see and touch.

I agree with you, bmorehouse1, that there are many excellent equestrian facilities that are so professional and I bet your niece just LOVES riding! It's a great sport. You're absolutely right that there are dangers to any sport and there is always a potential for injury (I mean, my older daughter dislocated her knee trying out for badminton, of all things... no one would have probably expected that!). After my riding accident, I did get right back on that same horse - for much the same reason you mentioned - I figured if I didn't, my riding days could be over. Honestly, I gave up my lessons but I had as much distrust about the running of the stable as I had fear of being up on the horse. I do hope to give it another try, with a different stable, once I have the budget again for riding

savypat, I'm really glad too! I really think a sight evaluation, as you suggest, is the way to go, if it's not being done! As I was mentioning above, I started taking riding lessons (something I had always wanted to do) when I was in my mid-30's. I had a horrible fall as a result of a lame horse that was improperly handled by the farrier. I lost all trust in that stable and the quality of care the horses were receiving. Also, because I - and one of the largest horses in their stables - had come crashing to the ground and my instructor laughed it off and told me "Well the saying goes that you have to fall from a horse 100 times before you can call yourself a rider... now you have 99 to go!", I never went back. I got back on a horse for one other lesson but my confidence is shattered. I want to get back to riding, though, and I hope someday I will. People need to treat horses and their riders with much more professionalism and respect. Just because it's a country fair, it doesn't excuse them from having the proper practices in place.

Horses are very social creatures, that's for sure. I think the problem at a country fair like this one is that many families bring and compete with their own animals. They are not necessarily representing an equestrian facility, I don't believe. I would have to inquire further to find out if those who take part are qualified instructors/trainers. My daughter definitely got the impression that, when the horse reared up, the handler didn't seem to know what to do at all

I'm sure the announcer was in as much shock as the rest of the audience, viewing what happened to the little girl, but competition equestrians are usually stable with a normal round of applause, etc., in the riding arena. I'm wondering if the woman leading the little girl's horse was an actual trainer or a family member -- because her reaction didn't seem to be one of a professional :((

My daughter had tears in her eyes just telling me about it! Since the competition was over, they were just awarding the prize ribbons and that little girl had finished in last place. So, her ribbon presentation was the last thing to happen. Such a sad note to end on :((