Bumps in the Road

**any typos are due to my lack of two working hands**

This post was supposed to be about my weekend rides and Monday's jumping lesson, but unfortunately the universe had other plans.

About two weeks ago, Trainer put me in touch with a local woman who had contacted her about needing extra help with her horses - she's trying to move out of state, and they need new homes. Without going into too much detail, my friend S and I headed out there twice last week to help her out, and then on Saturday I headed out on my own.

These horses are 7 (gelding) and 14 (mare) and have never been separated. They are mother and son. Allegedly, they are both broke to ride, but neither S nor I was comfortable finding out whether or not that was true; even if it was, they've both been out of work for well over a year. They're decent horses - foundation bred paints - and quite friendly. They were easy to catch, and stood tied for about an hour, totally chill, while S and I worked on sprucing them up. They let us pull their manes and clip their whiskers, and the mare chilled while I clipped her legs. The only hint of naughty behavior can from the gelding, who was not a fan of having his legs clipped - which was totally fair since he probably had never seen clippers before. 

The gelding was a little pushy on the ground, but listened and learned quickly. The next time we came out, we had to catch them in their pasture, and they happily came right up to us. We gave them baths and they were more polite about it than Spring is, although the gelding was a little squirmy. We were planning to list him as a green broke project horse and her as a trail horse - S was feeling comfortable enough at that point to ride the gelding the next time we went out, and I was borderline leaning towards yes, and we both felt comfortable with the thought of riding the mare. 

On Saturday, I headed out alone to help the owner feed and to attempt to fix her computer. The horses were out when I got there and I brought them in together - perfectly fine. They ate and we treated the mare, who has a sore that's an ongoing issue. Then the owner turned them both loose in her upper yard, which is not fenced. She explained that she wanted them to graze, and that they never wander off. I was a little skeptical, but they aren't my horses, so I helped her clean up in the barn...and walked out just in time to see the two of them merrily trotting down a path into the woods. 

Armed with treats and a lead rope, I headed after them - the owner was concerned because they apparently never do that, but she did say that it was all her property and they couldn't get far. My plan was to lead the mare back with the assumption that the gelding would follow. I found them after about 5 minutes, cropping grass next to her back pasture without a care in the world. 

The mare, it turned out, didn't want to be caught - she trotted off every time I got close. The gelding ignored us both, grazing quietly nearby, so I approached him with treats in hand and the lead rope over my shoulder, planning to grab his halter. He looked up as I neared, and then out of nowhere, he spun around and launched a double back kicked in my direction. The first kick caught me in the head, knocking me back. The second hit my arm, which I had flung up to protect myself, and knocked me to the ground. 

I have never been more terrified of a horse in my entire life. As I struggled to my feet, phone out to call B, the gelding backed off, but as I tried to walk back to the path, he started circling, lunging at me as I walked. I was screaming, waving the rope like a whip, crying because my head and arm were hurting pretty badly and also I was afraid. I made it back to the barn and the owner took me to her house, horrified that her horse had done something aggressive. B came, and we went to the ER, and thankfully my head is fine - I had a very minor concussion. My arm has no major fractures, but they were worried about soft tissue damage and possible microfractures, so I'm in a splint/cast until I see an orthopedic specialist next week. 

I am so thankful that the gelding was not shod.

Not to be outdone, Spring also got kicked over the weekend. She came in yesterday with a lovely hematoma that is slightly smaller than a tennis ball. It doesn't seem to be slowing her down at all, but I have spoken with my vet and trainer about treatment. She's totally sound and totally happy, though, so she will stay in light work while we work on getting it to go down. 

Her mane almost hides it

So, I can't ride - again - and my horse is apparently trying to keep up with my injuries. Thankfully, my friends are happy to help out with Spring, and hopefully I'll get the all clear soon and will be back to the two-handed life. Doing everything left-handed is ridiculously hard, and I want to be able to ride again!