Safety around large animals

[Downthestretch55]

Yup Pat,
Big critters can be very dangerous, and it happens in a blink.
The guy in Spain must have been looking for it, just like the macho types that run with the bulls at Pamplona. If you look for trouble, chances are you'll find it.
There's a good article at Thoroughbred Times today, written by a vet. It's called "cow kickers". Worth reading.
Just my experience, but no matter how careful you are, things happen very fast. Besides getting stepped on and thrown quite a few times, I've been plenty lucky. The worst was a "gentle" Shetland pony that I crossed paths with when I was a kid. I won't get into the whole story..I'll just say that we came to an "understanding". When the girls came to ride a few days later, you'd never believe that he was a reformed bronco. He was as gentle as a puppy...but I kept myself ready for any change. Dangerous stuff.
DTS

I just try and keep myself out of situations where I dont get crushed against something in tight quarters. As far as out in the open riding, I leave that to my wife. I dont need a leg up cause I dont get up.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I just try and keep myself out of situations where I dont get crushed against something in tight quarters. As far as out in the open riding, I leave that to my wife. I dont need a leg up cause I dont get up.

LOL,
Read the "cow kicker" article, it's pretty good.

As far as "riding in the open"...can't count the times I've ducked tree limbs or had one try to scrape me on a tree trunk.

"Be careful"...good words Pat. Also, wear a helmet. and KEEP YOUR HEELS DOWN!!!

[LARHAGE]

I've been around horses for 30 years and have broken ribs, wrists and received multiple scrapes and abrasions, not to mention bites too numerous to count. The worst injury though was during a horse show, I was riding my Saddlebred gelding who only knows one way...GO! We were called to walk one way around the ring and he was fretting and tossing his head badly, just as they called for the trot he flung his head back hitting me full-on in the face, I had blood running down my shirt but continued to show, we even placed rather well considering. I always tell novices who are around me to watch their heads, they are one of the most deadly aspects of the horse, as they like to swing them around and fling them back under saddle.

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

I've been around horses for 30 years and have broken ribs, wrists and received multiple scrapes and abrasions, not to mention bites too numerous to count. The worst injury though was during a horse show, I was riding my Saddlebred gelding who only knows one way...GO! We were called to walk one way around the ring and he was fretting and tossing his head badly, just as they called for the trot he flung his head back hitting me full-on in the face, I had blood running down my shirt but continued to show, we even placed rather well considering. I always tell novices who are around me to watch their heads, they are one of the most deadly aspects of the horse, as they like to swing them around and fling them back under saddle.

Very true that big hard skull cracking up against yours. Been there done that along with the bites and of course the none to pleasant step on your foot when I was an idiot and wearing running shoes. Its the dying part when internal organs get crushed or a head smash that worries me the most.

[Pedigree Ann]

Back before WWII, my family farm had at team of black Percherons and a team of lighter horses (for things like the hayrake, the driving of which was my mom's specialty). One day my uncle was grooming one of the Percherons when it merely shifted its weight from one hind leg to the other, pinned said uncle against the wall and cracked his pelvis.

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Back before WWII, my family farm had at team of black Percherons and a team of lighter horses (for things like the hayrake, the driving of which was my mom's specialty). One day my uncle was grooming one of the Percherons when it merely shifted its weight from one hind leg to the other, pinned said uncle against the wall and cracked his pelvis.

This is exactly the kind of thing I am afraid of.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Back before WWII, my family farm had at team of black Percherons and a team of lighter horses (for things like the hayrake, the driving of which was my mom's specialty). One day my uncle was grooming one of the Percherons when it merely shifted its weight from one hind leg to the other, pinned said uncle against the wall and cracked his pelvis.

reminds me of my friend Kat who owns a perch-hanovarian cross, he stumbled coming out of his stall one day and came down hard on her foot breaking numerous bones and severing a tendon in her foot. He meant no harm he is just so huge...and she was wearing street shoes rather than boots (not brilliant).

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

I've been around horses for 30 years and have broken ribs, wrists and received multiple scrapes and abrasions, not to mention bites too numerous to count. The worst injury though was during a horse show, I was riding my Saddlebred gelding who only knows one way...GO! We were called to walk one way around the ring and he was fretting and tossing his head badly, just as they called for the trot he flung his head back hitting me full-on in the face, I had blood running down my shirt but continued to show, we even placed rather well considering. I always tell novices who are around me to watch their heads, they are one of the most deadly aspects of the horse, as they like to swing them around and fling them back under saddle.

Ouch, that sounds like that hurt. I don't like it when horses rear. That is the worst habit in the world and one of the hardest to break. There is nothing more dangerous than a horse that rears.

[slotdirt]

Reminds me of the time I was out on a leisurely hack when the horse I was riding decided he'd had enough and just started rolling. If I hadn't jumped off when I did, I'm pretty certain I might not be walking today.