I've stayed away from this thread because it hits close to home for me. But I felt I should share my story. Four years ago (almost five, jeez!) I took a terrible tumble at a local "A" rated show. My horse refused the second jump of a line (the oxer), which normally I would have stayed on for, but he stopped *really* dirty. He lifted his front feet off the ground like he was going to go, I rose up to meet him and stay out of his way, and he SLAMMED back down, dropped his left shoulder and spun right with everything he had... I tumbled ass over teakettle and ended up breaking the back pole of the oxer with my body. The force of his stop literally flung me through the air. I landed ass first but then my head hit, bounced, and I was knocked unconscious (messed myself... so embarrassing). I had to be taken out in ambulance on a stretcher. I had a terrible concussion, a broken arm (from where the pole broke and whizzed up to whack it) and some serious ass-kicking bruising... But because of my helmet, I am not a vegetable nor brain dead. It was a HORRIBLE fall and people who saw it REMEMBER it even today. When I was in the hospital the words "Horse" and "Accident" were spoken in very negative tones. Those ER nurses see accidents involving horses ALL THE TIME. We have to remember that these are animals and they are unpredictable. Period.

Please wear your helmet EVERY TIME you ride. I don't care if you're the best rider in the universe - freak accidents happen and people can get seriously hurt if they're not taking the steps to protect yourself. I compare it to driving a car and putting on your seatbelt. Maybe you'll NEVER EVER need it, but the one time that you do, you'll be grateful.

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Elton & Emma
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