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Post by Bara on Mar 8, 2003 12:59:24 GMT -5
.. I'm 51 years old - been riding since I was 5. That's a fair old time. Today we had ANOTHER fatality in the Park where I ride. That's 2 in 6 months. That's 2 in all the time I've been riding. Not from our stables, thank heavens, but from a stables I know.
Hmm. Calm down, Barbara. It went like this .. we trailer our horses to the Park, and the yard where my horses are stabled, offers what you would call 'Trail Rides' round the Park. Today, there were 7 liveries (what you would call boarders) and 2 customers. So we tossed a coin as to who would take the customers etc. What we call 'Escort' - you would call 'Wrangler', I think.
As we drove the lorry (horses aboard) to the Park, Lucy who was today's escort, spotted a helicopter over the Park. "Is that the Air Ambulance???" she said.
Anyway - 2 of the boarders decided to go off on their own, the rest of us went with the ride. We had JUST got into the Park, when we saw another ride (only 3 horses) coming towards us. 2 minutes later, we saw our 2 boarders who had gone off on their own GALLOPING along the road towards us. The ride coming towards us took off as well, and then we saw THREE riderless horses galloping up the road.
Obviously, our horses went ballistic and we had a dreadful few minutes with - what - something like 15 horses all trying to bolt after the riderless horses. Mercifully, the gate to the main road was closed. My friend and I (eventually managing to get our own horses under control) went after the loose horses and caught them.
So, having handed the horses over to our friends who'd just finished riding, we went off for our own ride. Half way round, we met a girl from another stables, who told us that the incident had involved one horse bucking her rider off. That rider falling in the path of another horse, who spooked and threw HIS rider, and a third horse just taking off, galloping up the track and falling on the road - throwing HIS rider. It seems that the girl who came off on the road hit her head (despite wearing a helmet) and was killed instantly. That's twice in just a few months. Oh help .. there but for the grace of god, etc...
The WORST thing was, that just after receiving this information, we met the remnants of that ride. Clearly, their escort was unaware that her customer had been killed. We bumped into them, walking cautiously back, and she was so pathetically grateful to hear that we'd caught her horses and that they seemed ok. Although they were in a dreadful state, having galloped about 5 miles through parkland, over roads, through a village. But we were able to assure her that all three had reached the gate, didn't seem too cut up; had been caught and were on their way home.
She clearly had no idea of the gravity of the situation she'd left behind. Oh help.
Oh Lord, my role here seems to be either Voice of Doom or Jester ...
Sorry - I just wanted to talk to you. There's nothing any of us can do. We take all the 'precautions' we can at our place, with waivers, riding tests etc. But ... it seems not everyone does.
Stay safe - love you all.
B
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Post by Einstein on Mar 8, 2003 13:23:33 GMT -5
Oh wow! The girl who died just rented the horse for a ride around the park?! How aweful! Thank goodness the horses were OK and no one else was hurt. That is so sad Bara  I'm, for once, speachless |
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Post by adcooper on Mar 8, 2003 13:28:51 GMT -5
Bara, that's horrible. You must be in shock. I am so glad you stayed mounted and so sorry that others did not. I'm a little confused about the customer/livery/boarder distinction. Do you mean that sometimes people rent horses to ride? Or do they transport their own horses into the park? In either case, it sounds like there were riders in an unfamiliar situation and a bad chain of spooking. An awful scene. I'm sure you are shaken. Breathe deeply and know that your friends stateside are completely sympathetic. Hugs!
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Post by Bara on Mar 8, 2003 13:59:42 GMT -5
Yes, I suppose I am in shock - it's only a couple of hours since! The situation at our yard is that it is, basically, a hacking (trail-riding) operation. He augments his income with liveries (boarders?) That's us. But his main business is renting out horses for hacks in the Park. And our (his!) horses are great. We've never had (touch wood!) an incident. But .. I escort rides, and I KNOW which horses have been out, been lunged, etc.! He has 26 horses, mostly TB or ID and he works them well. Every single one of them is a personality - and about 50% you could put a novice OR a rider on - and the horse will respond accordingly. But not all our competitors/colleagues choose and school their horses so well. Hence, perhaps today.
Yes, Michelle. I'm in shock. Not least because of the opening incident. Forry and I 'held it together'. But with 3 riderless horses, 7 horses panicking around you, and 5 ridden horses bolting towards you ....... you need a lot of trust in each other! Luckily, Forry listened - but there were 4 or 5 (1 or 2??) minutes of not knowing whether he was taking off, if I was on the deck - whatever. He has a new habit of rearing, so trying to catch the loose horses was ....fun!
.
But there are only, really, three yards which have licences to hack out in Windsor Great Park. Each of the other two have now had a fatality. And it's not fair - we've been there 20 years with nothing worse than concussion! But what can you do?
Hmmm - yes, sorry, I'm in shock!
B
ps - Lynne - came straight home and fed carrots to the donks!
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Post by Shelby on Mar 8, 2003 14:41:05 GMT -5
Oh Bara what a tragedy! I am sure you are so shocked! I am 46 and have been riding since I was 6 and have had my share of falls, and I guess that is why, at our age, we try to be overly cautious - of course, you cannot predict these things, but I think that this awakens a new thought on being so cautious. I as a rule don't ride trails anymore, although I loved it - the horses are just too close to "45MPH means 65+MPH" West Broad Street and the only way to the trails is along that road, and there is no way on earth I will do that - I had a close call on Whiskey 10 years ago - she spooked at something and took off in the direction of Holton Road and I got that dreadful tunnel vision momentarily - when I finally came to my senses I got her circled and slowed down enough to be able to head her toward a tree in softer footing in case I had to bail. All I could think of was my head all over that asphalt,and I was wearing a helmet too.
Take care hon - I am so sorry to hear about this.
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Post by Lynne on Mar 8, 2003 14:48:46 GMT -5
Bara......! That is a horrid story and so ridiculously unbelievable to even me and I am not there and don't know the people etc. It scares me to death, the unpredicatability and then I try to add "of riding horses" although I suppose driving a car, operating a chainsaw or just plain sleeping could be in the category as well. I am so so sorry for everyone involved. It makes my inards roll in waves even from here. I am so glad that you and Forry held it together (especially when I read the rearing part).
I'm with you. We do it becuase we love it. We know there are "things" that happen, luckily it is not the norm although to you right now it must seem like it is. I'm with you also on, everyobody out there, be careful, ride respectfully together, love your horses, thank your day and tell your friends and family how much they mean.
Bara, thanks for giving the donkeys the treats...that alone warms my soul.
Hope you're doing okay with having all of this happen. I'm thinking of you.
Lynne
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Post by ZenRider on Mar 8, 2003 14:50:30 GMT -5
Yikes! That's a sad way to start a ride. Am so glad I have the thick skull I have. When I was a teenager I guided rides at a barn (after cleaning stalls and stuff on the weekends). Didn't make hardly any money, but I could ride for free during the week. Worth it's weight in gold, I rode a lot of different horses back then. Worst thing we had happen while I was one of the guides (probably not the worst ever there, but I don't remember anyone ever dying, is one of the bratty little ponies managed to dump the kid on him, but the kid got caught in the stirrups. Dragged him a bit, but came loose and except for some bruises was none the worst for wear. Phew. We actually usually spotted a short woman that we had a feeling could ride somewhat and would put her on that pony, caus he was a brat. Of which the poor woman would have to deal with her friends teasing her about her little mount, little did they know... We had two spots we'd actually let people run the horses and that little pony was always up in the front. hehehe The woman would always sit prouder after blowing away the guys on their big lazy horses. :hahaha: This was back before lawyers pretty much put most of our Livery barns out of business, before the equine liability laws that could have saved them came out. And we could give the people a couple of good canter or gallops even, depending on the group. We called the horses that were rented livery horses, and of course the other horses were boarded horses. Most of the people that fell off were usually doing something we told them not to do. Like making the horse rear or holding back and running to catch up to the group. Ya know how some horses get if you hold them back from the pack, especially livery horses. This barn took pretty good care of the horses, compared to others when I was there. Not because of me but the manager they had at the time, she fed them about twice what she was told to feed them and they looked pretty good. So we sold a lot of the livery horses to people that came out and rode and fell in love with the buggers.  |
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Post by ClaireLV on Mar 8, 2003 20:37:06 GMT -5
Bara, how awful! And terribly sad too! I'll put the kettle on and make a cup of tea in that pathetically, woefully inadequate way we Brits have of dealing with these kinds of things! Although it always feels like we're at least doing something.
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Post by leeann on Mar 8, 2003 20:56:52 GMT -5
Bara,
Horrible as it must be for you, at least you were able to lend a hand to a situation that needed some guidance.
Take some solace in the fact that you helped a horrible situation not become worse--think what could have happened if the the loose horses had not been caught & ran though a less able group of riders! I shudder at the thought.
I always tell myself when I read of a death due to falling that at least it is quick at least someone was doing what they wanted at their time, and it was probably so fast as to be essentially painless. Sometimes those words ring hollow, but they are true, nonetheless.
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Post by CatB on Mar 8, 2003 22:03:46 GMT -5
Truly awful, Bara. A perfect example of what can happen and the inherent risk we all take when dealing with horses. How completely unsettling for all involved - so glad Forry kept his head and you kept your seat. I hope these tragedies won't shut down the parks.
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Post by Luci on Mar 8, 2003 22:14:44 GMT -5
What a shock of an experience and how sad the girl died. That kind of thing stays with you. Thank goodness that you were there to help with the horses that were loose. Many hugs to you.
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Post by Lisann on Mar 9, 2003 7:22:36 GMT -5
How terrible for you Bara! I think we all get a bit nonchalant about the potential dangers of working with horses. I am glad you were able to control your horse in the melee and that you weren't hurt.
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Post by tina on Mar 9, 2003 10:22:51 GMT -5
that is just horrible. Im so sorry you had to be in the middle of it like that, what a terrible day for you and everyone involved. Im so glad you and your horse are ok thou. Its horrible to have been right there at the time but its good you were able to get the other horses caught safely and that they are ok. So many times we dont realize or we forget how dangerous our love of horses can actualy be, its hard to prevent a serious accident no matter how we prepare for what could be......Im very glad ur ok and safe.
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I'm, for once, speachless 
