Well, One of My Blogs…

I fell off the horse today.  Hard.  Hard enough that I am pretty sure I need a new helmet.

The weather is just starting to turn autumn-ey, and while it was hot during the day today, it was getting breezy and cool by early evening when I have my lesson, and the cool weather I think contributed to the horse’s sassiness.

He had already had one issue earlier in the lesson- when my teacher clucked at another horse, he took it as a cue to bolt.  I got him under control right away, and was feeling quite smug about that.

Oh, the dangers of feeling smug.

Not long after, we were just trotting along nicely, when for no apparent reason he reared up a little bit and took off running.  I stayed on for a bit, attempting to get him under control and according to my teacher, it looked like I was going to succeed until my right wrist crossed over his neck and threw my balance off.  I had a slow-time moment where I realized: “Well, I think I’m going to fall now,” got my feet out of the stirrups, and hoped for the best.

I landed (hard) on my butt/back and then my head (safely enclosed in its helmet) cracked into the ground.

I knew I was fine right away, but I was definitely seeing stars, and a bit shaken.  After checking that I was okay and giving me a minute to stop freaking out, my teacher made me get back on the horse, because they are seriously not joking about the “if you fall off the horse…” saying.  You really do have to get right back on.

Once I got home, I took stock of the situation.

Interesting to note, due to my fancy landing, I had a significant amount of gravel down my pants.  A significant amount.  I also have some lovely road rash (arena rash?) on my lower back.  Other than that and the fact that things are now starting to stiffen up and get achy, I’m fine.

At first I thought there was more damage to my helmet, but besides the scrapes from where it hit the ground, it looks like the only damage was to all of the parts inside that secure it to my head.  Those babies are busted.  Helmets, like cars, are designed to self-destruct in order to save your head, so I appreciate the sacrifice my helmet made for my noggin.

So, because I had a fall that involved my head, I have to get a new helmet.  This is actually fine by me, as I have been coveting a new helmet for a while.  Something like this:

That kind with the stripe is all the rage these days.