I was stunned when I read that there was no concussion. Then I was really stunned to see he’d be competing again in 10 days. I struggle to ride with a headache. I can’t image the pain he’s got to be in.
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I admire Buck dearly but I hope he doesn’t compete in 10 days. Even if he’s patched together, there is still a risk of falling off again and doing more damage.
I almost wish I hadn’t read the article, the injuries sound so horrific. That’s hellishly close to the brain. I hope for his sake it doesn’t feel as bad as it sounds. That poor man.
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I am surprised as well, that such an extensive injury to the facial bones is possible without sustaining a concussion. There was no mention of him losing consciousness so perhaps the force of the blow was dissipated by the fracturing of so many bones in his face. I would think that an orbital fracture would make a concussion very likely.
My brain and the soft tissue of mouth/lips took the brunt of the blow in my case. I had only a hairline jaw fracture that didn’t require repair. Three days unconscious and an unfortunate amount of stitching inside and out. Perhaps if my bones had broken my brain wouldn’t have been so rattled by the force of the impact In any case, it was a very long summer of healing up and I can’t imagine how anyone could bounce back so quickly from such extensive injuries as he has.
I’m sure he must have good family and friends that won’t let him get ahead of himself though. Heal up there Buck, and you owe your grooms a fancy dinner with fancy wine or whatever is a treat for them. It’s unkind to be hideously injured in front of others… ; )
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Honestly…he was really really really lucky. People have been killed from kicks like that. Hope he heals well. He’s a really tough competitor and no dummy…he will not ride if he doesn’t think he can do an effective job.
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I haven’t had quite that full list, but I had a bad accident (not related to my horse) several years ago that landed me with most of the more painful-sounding parts of Buck’s collection (my nose wasn’t involved, but otherwise quite similar). I did actually ride the day after surgery. It sounds crazy (even to me), but a lot of what they do to stabilize injuries of that type provides enough stability that it doesn’t bug you on a horse. It looked horrific for months and I couldn’t eat solid foods for about six weeks, but exercise up to and including riding didn’t bother me (and was a welcome distraction).
Looking back, I expect I was cleared to ride simply because they thought I’d give it a shot and immediately think better of it, but I didn’t and I kept it up. I also did not have a concussion.
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Wow, thank you for that insight having “been there, done that,” and I hope you’re recovered completely! And from what I know of concussions, I can see how it’s possible to have a physical injury to the head but not have your “bell rung.” Conversely, I once worked with a student who got a head injury running cross-country (!) by accidentally running into a tree. He had no visible injuries at all, but suffered all of the invisible symptoms, like not being able to tolerate light, having to remain in a darkened room most of the time, and so forth.
“Not being able to eat solid foods yet ride” makes you sound very Buck Davidson indeed.
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I had a Le Fort II injury along with a couple of other facial fractures after getting hit in the face, and my experience was that it was incredibly painful- far worse than any other injuries I have had, and I have a generally high pain tolerance. I rode two days after it happened, after getting everything put back together, and it was definitely too soon, but my judgement was clouded by pain meds and I was being very heavily encouraged to get back on and get to a show by my trainer. I did have a mild concussion, which definitely impaired my judgement as well. That said, I did find that the pain resolved quite quickly, and aside from not being able to eat and looking a little scary, I felt pretty good after a week or so.
I don’t envy anyone going through this kind of injury- mine was 7 or 8 years ago and I am still dealing with residual dental and mandibular issues. I also remember having a very strong desire to purchase a polo helmet- I was incredibly “head shy” for a long time! A kick to the face is incredibly dangerous and to walk away without any brain injuries is a very fortunate thing indeed.
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In a slant trailer, the horse can panic and clean your clock with the divider as you’re trying to put it in place.
Both styles are dangerous. Loading horses is risky.
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Thank you 
As @Equisis referenced, it took them quite a few years to fully put my face back together, but I was lucky to have a great team and am now at the stage where the only real lasting effect is that I take a lot of precautions to prevent it ever happening again!
Unfortunately, I can promise you that the “riding” that I did and the riding that Buck does have little in common. I did not then and do not now have the ability to ride like that man, however much I try!
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It looks like he fell off this weekend. Hopefully he is ok, I really feel like we need to not let riders event when they are injured but I know thats an unpopular opinion.
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Oh, no! The last thing he needs is to have an impact to the head or face. Fingers crossed.
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He just posted on social media that he is fine. I agree @Jealoushe . All riders should have a sit out time after a serious injury
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Glad to hear he’s OK.
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Thank goodness he is ok. I can not imagine how that felt with his current injury.
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Gives me shivers to think of how much it hurt falling off with his injuries. Glad he’s ok.
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I was volunteering on xc this weekend at Fair Hill. He actually looked really good. His face was a bit puffy, but no discoloration. I was at start and he spoke to me repeatedly and was very pleasant and very clear in his speech. I was expecting far worse. He had many rides and came off his last of the day. But was on his feet immediately and seemed completely fine. In many cases I would advocate for a certain “sit out” time, but in this case I wouldn’t think it justified. JMO.
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Wow. Buck IS “Ironman” - in every sense of the word! And no suit!
Tough dude, brave (and gracious) competitor, the very definition of stoic. I DO wish he would take it easy after such horrific injuries :(, but that’s not who he is (and of course there are always bills to pay!) Glad he’s okay.
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I had the pleasure of watching him ride at Champagne Run this year. He does the impossible!
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwfYZMp-A_/?igshid=1vaq7kxtrmk5a
link to his IG post about his fall from Jak
I agree 100%
I suspect that opinion is mostly unpopular with Pros who need, or feel the need, to keep riding / competing despite medically needing an extended period off to rest and recover
if i ever own an upper level horse (we can all dream, right?), i would not place my horse with someone who rode with the type of injuries Buck appears to have suffered.
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