Rider injury, quit, change or continue?

[Calvincrowe]

I’m 50, have been riding for the last 42 years and have had my share of falls and injuries from minor to severe. I have a lovely jumper mare who is safe and sane but jumps hard with a snap in her back. I’m coming back to jumping regularly after a non- horse foot surgery debacle that left me non riding for 8 months.

Sunday, I leaned out in a 6 stride that I should have waited for a 7 in, and rolled over her shoulder landing on my left ribs. I wear an airowear vest every ride. It hurt a bit but I got back on and jumped two more fences and was done. As I started driving home it became very clear I was hurt, inside. ED rushed me to trauma as I was peeing blood from my smashed kidney. I’m still in the hospital— lots of complications like afib, stent placed in kidney, constipation, nausea. Ugh.

So. I’m having those “why the hell do I do this?” Thoughts. I have a full life outside of riding. I spend half my income on it, my husband wants to travel. I coach track at my job.

Advice?

[LilyandBaron]

So many options, and it’s not like any decision would have to be final. You could get right back into jumping when your health allows, picking up where you left off, or quit horses entirely… You mention this particular mare’s style - could you buy a horse with more of an eq ride - less crack in the back? You could change disciplines - dressage is often an idea, but so many sports and activities worth exploring! Why do you ride? Do you enjoy the act of jumping, the pursuit of competitive goals, training horses, just riding/time with the horse, or just having a physical activity? Do you want a break? You could take a break entirely, travel, and see if you miss it. I personally know competing is secondary to the satisfaction of training for me. I don’t jump big anymore, either. My ideal horse life is training good-minded oddball/rescues in dressage, crosstraining with low-level eventing, and trail riding, with dressage clinics and local schooling dressage show circuits for my outings. I can still get hurt, but less “high-risk” and my show/training budget isn’t infringing on the rest of my life. And I have time for DH and family, without being at a show every weekend. Best advice is to think through various options, then try a change if you want, and if you want to go back to what you’ve been doing, you can. Stay fit and strong to make sure you maintain the physical ability to do what you choose, be it globe trotting or jumpers!

[Jodyml813]

We all have these moments. Only you can tell when you are ready to hang up the spurs. Sounds like a freak accident but accidents and horses happen. I would say focus on getting better and see how you feel in time. Can you keep the mare and ride on the flat? Is she a candidate for a lease? Sending healing vibes as your post indicates you are having a rough patch. It will get better and once you feel better and get some rest, your outlook may change. Here’s to feeling better soon!

[tbchick84]

Ouch! Sorry you were hurt. At the very least, you’re going to have some downtime to think about your next step. Two things are going to happen. Either you will take a few trips with your husband, enjoy your newly found disposable income and have a blast or find you miss riding and decide to keep doing it. Maybe take a break for it for awhile, lease out your mare and see which way your gut points you.

[OneTwoMany]

Consider taking a step down and enjoy the horses from a safer height. We don’t all perform at our peek as we age. That is okay and there is no shame in that. Better you move down a level or two and enjoy your mare than to have you get terribly hurt and be forced to leave horses forever.

[RugBug]

It’s a personal decision that no one can make for you. How much risk are you willing to accept? Could you live without horses? Riding? Figure out what works for you…but I would recommend waiting on any big decisions for a while.

I just got the “all healed” from a recent horse-related wrist fracture. I finally have the doctor’s permission to ride, although I have ridden 5-6 times since the break. I am finding that the mental “all healed” will take a LOT longer, despite what was a fairly minor injury…at least in relation to my last break when at this point I hadn’t even started healing. Eek!

[inca]

Last year at age 50 I came off at a show (in the freaking under saddle class) and ended up with a fractured pelvis and some issues with my right leg. No riding for 12 weeks, 7 weeks on crutches, lots of pain, etc. At one point, I stood in the kitchen and told my husband that for a person that didn’t even want to ride anymore, I sure have a lot of horses. I honestly had no desire to ride. Then I healed and I started riding my saintly gelding, showed a couple times in the fall and even moved up to the 3’ hunters.

However, it was still hard for me to get on the horse I came off. I am riding him again and just now, 10 months after getting hurt, can get on him without thinking of my injury every second. Not sure how I will feel about showing him again. He’s kinda been for sale but I’m not really trying hard to get him sold. If it gets to that point, I will send him off to be sold.

Don’t feel like you have to make a decision this minute. Can your training find someone to lease your mare for 6-12 months? That would give you time to heal up and decide if you miss riding or not. Or maybe a half lease to keep her in work but you could still ride and take your time working back up to jumping?

As we get older, it’s not so easy to bounce back from injury. I still have ups and downs when it comes to the horse I came off. I finally decided to quit pressuring myself to make a decision. But, I had serious fear issues for a long time and they still pop up from time to time.

[fourfillies]

So sorry you are going through this. You are going to have a few months of “medical leave” regardless. I’d use that time to let the emotions settle and try to not let your take control side be rash.

We are a similar demographic. I’ve stepped back twice in my 40 years of riding (one for injury and one for job). Both times I also owned too many horses (and still do …). Both times I couldn’t not go back. It’s a passion and too much who I am. But, both times gave me much better perspective on my goals and financial commitment to the sport. I realized I am someone who works to support a hobby, and that wasn’t going to change.

During all that I sold a horse, leased out a horse, retired two horses … it’s complicated but you’ll end up doing what is right by yourself and your horses. From your prior posts you are a “horseman” first.

Now rest and know doctors orders are orders, not suggestions!

[NancyM]

This is not something that you need to decide TODAY. You are taking some enforced “time off” right now, and not feeling your best. See how you feel after you have healed, and are healthy and strong again.

[RAyers]

@Calvincrowe

…

So. I’m having those “why the hell do I do this?” Thoughts. I have a full life outside of riding. I spend half my income on it, my husband wants to travel. I coach track at my job.

Advice?

There is no answer. We each have different motivations and experiences. I have a friend who is missing a complete vertebra and is still a race jockey. She has broken her pelvis and various long bones multiple times. I have had my share or accidents and injuries. My mom is in her 80s and still gets on and jumps even after injuries. I have other friends who fell off once, had no injury, and quit.

For me, I do it because it is life. It is no different than breathing. I have been riding longer than you have been alive and I just can not conceive a life not on horseback. Yes, I have a good outside career (scientist/engineer) and I love other things, but in the end, if I couldn’t ride, none of that is worth it. I would survive, but I would be miserable. My sister was an awesome rider for decades but then decided she wanted to do other things (she is a track coach and owns a race event company) and horses were to be just something to dabble in occasionally. Meanwhile, I still am driven to chase the big fences and train my and my horse’s butt off to get there.

Time and reflection are your best allies. They will tell you what you want when you are ready.

[Pennywell_Bay]

CC- I am so sorry for your injury and am so glad that you went to the hospital and did not attempt to power through it. Prayer for fast healing.

I am 3 years younger than you, totally understand where you are coming from. This is not a decision you need to make right now.

How I have managed riding at my age being aware injury is more likely now I am aging :): I am satisfied at relatively lower heights. I’m not ready to go dressage, I like riding, showing, doing my best over fences. I just had this conversation with my husband. The horse I have now is not a back-cracking, jump me out of the saddle ride. I bred her, she’s 9, we know each other like the back of our hands (or hoof) and if I even drop my stirrups, she stops dead (No stirrup November is so much fun).

We went cross country (we are hunters) this summer and she jumped a ditch and popped me out of my tack. There I was with the Pony Club kids, hanging on her neck, feet behind me, unable to shrink and squiggle myself back into the saddle because of my safety vest. As I clung to her neck, with her at a standstill and the kids laughing I was crystal clear how freaking lucky I was. It was a funny moment, but for me it was so eye opening. She stopped dead with me and tolerated my rolling and laughing cross country. She earned her wings with me.

I ride a horse I trust (as much as you can a horse) one that is suitable for my skill and physical ability.I will not get another young horse for myself. I just had this conversation yesterday- my next horse I will shell out the cash for one that will pack me around, be safe (not saying your horse is not safe but she is a back-cracking horse).

I also err on the side of caution now when jumping. I’ll add rather than the long spot (though my mare will take a long spot I, too, may roll over a shoulder).

I don’t let it nag me, I love riding. I really set myself up for safety (success).

I can’t imagine my life without riding. I have adjusted my level depending on my comfort and not what anyone else thinks.

I hope you heal fast. I hope you don’t let this dog you. I hope you find the joy in riding, even if not at the same level you were last month. This is a question only you can answer.

[Scribbler]

I am a few years older than you, and returned to riding in my 40s. At the beginning of December I broke my foot (trampled on handwalking) and was non weight bearing for 7 weeks. Off riding for 3 months, longest time off since I started up again.

Ive been back in the saddle now month. I didn’t lose position or technique in that time but I sure lost fitness and stamina, so I ve been cautious returning because it would be so easy to get reinjured.

Don’t make any decision while you are injured. I spent December and January with my foot on a pillow being glad I didn’t need to go out in the sleet. I was sleepy all the time even after I was off pain meds. And this was a teeny tiny fracture, nbd really!

I didn’t know if I ever wanted to go outside again, let alone ride.

But once I was better I absolutely did.

I should add that in my early 50s I also did start to feel a drop in overall energy and strength, clearly hormone related.

I do think we need to be more careful about risk as we age, and about what we do while recovering from time off or injury. We don’t have the margin for saving ourselves we did when we were lighter, more flexible, or had more stamina.

[NoSuchPerson]

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I have no advice. I can only tell you what I did.

I’m currently 60. I now have some minor health issues and take some medications that influence the potential consequences of a fall. Several years ago, I had two bad falls in the same year. One landed me in ICU for a couple of days. I made some hard decisions about exactly what kind of horse I would be riding from then on and exactly what kind of equine activities I would be participating in. I bought a Steady Eddie QH who is 20 yrs old this year. His idea of a big spook is to look hard and shuffle his feet a little bit. I’ve started thinking that maybe I’ll switch from jumping to western dressage.

And if I have another fall, I’m done riding. I’ve joked that I’ll buy a book on liberty training for the mule and go join the circus.

[dia916]

I have been riding and jumping for over 40 years. In my early 50’s I started having more falls with more serious consequences. A horse went down cantering at home and I got a concussion - not the first one I have ever had - even wearing a helmet. Next, a horse I was riding tripped at the trot and I bounced off the front end . I got up laughing and even got back on. Within a few hours I was in the ER with broken ribs which turned into 12 weeks of pure agony. Still, I kept riding and jumping. The last straw for me was flying over a jump without my horse, with one foot caught in the stirrup, and the bridle he wore in my hand. This was a 2 foot fence. By the grace of God my good horse stood still and with the wind knocked out of me and blood pouring from my nose, I managed to slip my foot out. Within seconds, the horse went flying back to the barn at top speed. What if I had been dragged behind him? This fall resulted in a shattered nose and several more weeks of incapacitation. Every doctor I saw said the exact same thing to me: I was lucky to be alive, and I was lucky not to have broken my cervical spine. Despite their dire words, I kept riding and jumping. Eventually it dawned on me that I didn’t enjoy jumping anymore. It frightened me and I had to use every ounce of bravery I had to keep doing it. Even with a gorgeous horse and few financial concerns, it had just stopped being fun. Finally at 54 I made the decision to give myself permission to stop jumping. It was the right decision for me, but it was not easy and involved a lot of emotional turmoil. What hasn’t changed is my love for horses and my love for riding them. Once I healed up, I became a flat-only rider and guess what? It was fine. In time I realized I missed the challenge of lessoning and showing so I took up Dressage. Changing disciplines was not easy. It meant new horse, new barn, new trainer, new friends. It made me a beginner rider at time in my life when I was considered in the H/J world to be an accomplished rider. It has been challenging, rewarding, fun, and most of all, not terrifying. I agree with the other posters. Do not decide what to do while you are still recovering. When your body is 100% get on and see how you feel. If you want to jump a few, do so. If you never want to show, or limit your showing to lower heights, or get a safer horse - do it. Give yourself permission to not make a decision about quitting or changing what you do until you are ready. Leaving HJ competition was something I feared immensely. Turns out, I still go to shows and watch, I kept all of my old friends, my former trainers were supportive of my new career. In addition I have gained new friends, talents and interests. When its time for you to change, you’ll know. Just listen to your heart. There are many roads to Rome - once a horse girl, always a horse girl. Best of luck!

[Bogie]

Don’t make any decisions yet. But when you do, remember that there is no wrong choice and nothing is final.

On January 20th my mare slipped on some ice and fell. She didn’t land on me, but in the course of both of us falling, I broke my left collarbone and fractured my left ankle and right knee. 15 days in the hospital/rehab, four more weeks in a wheelchair, gradual progression to walker, crutches and cane. None of my injuries were that serious, I just had a lot of them. My husband wanted me to sell my horses. I’m 57 and he didn’t want me taking on so much risk.

There’s no question in my mind that I will be riding again as soon as I’m able. I will take certain precautions to stay safe, but I’m not going to give up something I love just because of one bad fall.

The question is, how do you feel? Only you can decide if you want to get back on a horse – and when.

[soloudinhere]

@Calvincrowe

I’m 50, have been riding for the last 42 years and have had my share of falls and injuries from minor to severe. I have a lovely jumper mare who is safe and sane but jumps hard with a snap in her back. I’m coming back to jumping regularly after a non- horse foot surgery debacle that left me non riding for 8 months.

Sunday, I leaned out in a 6 stride that I should have waited for a 7 in, and rolled over her shoulder landing on my left ribs. I wear an airowear vest every ride. It hurt a bit but I got back on and jumped two more fences and was done. As I started driving home it became very clear I was hurt, inside. ED rushed me to trauma as I was peeing blood from my smashed kidney. I’m still in the hospital— lots of complications like afib, stent placed in kidney, constipation, nausea. Ugh.

So. I’m having those “why the hell do I do this?” Thoughts. I have a full life outside of riding. I spend half my income on it, my husband wants to travel. I coach track at my job.

Advice?

I’m not your age (substantially younger) but last year I took a fall in a freak accident that ended my jumping career. I jumped with a vest on a few times after coming back to riding, maybe 12 jumps since the accident, and jumped my last one in November. I won’t ever jump again I’m pretty sure.

I’m trying straight dressage for now, but I think my current horse will be my last. It’s too expensive and too all consuming to do well. I’m tired. And the threat of having a critical injury hangs over my head every day.

I don’t know what I would do instead since riding has been a part of my life for so long, but I think within the next 5 years I will be done.

If if you’re not enjoying it - it’s not worth it.

[vxf111]

@NancyM

This is not something that you need to decide TODAY. You are taking some enforced “time off” right now, and not feeling your best. See how you feel after you have healed, and are healthy and strong again.

This. And you get to decide how much is enough on your own timeframe

[yaya]

I’m in the same boat right now. I’m 54, and ride dressage.

5 years ago, I had a new horse that was a saint in the test rides, but turned into a pistol once I got him home. He did a spook and bolt that got me onto my back that caused all my muscles to seize up like I was in a body cast for several days. 6 months later, he tossed me onto the arena wall with no warning, cracking some ribs. I never got back on him, and he was shipped off for sale the next month. (Before I even got up from the ground, I yelled to my trainer, “He’s out of here!”)

I lost weight, and bought a saintly schoolmaster that has restored my confidence, but with his age and issues, I haven’t been able to show for over two years.

So I bought a younger horse, who isn’t that young, but has been on-and-off with his work due to his former owner’s issues. He was great the first year, but for some reason last month, he bolted twice in a week, getting me off both times. The first time just bruised my knee, and I got right back on, trotting and cantering with no problem. The second time was a kick at the whip that turned into a buck and bolt that gave me a compression fracture at L2. I haven’t ridden for 3 weeks now, and am scheduled for a possible vertebroplasty next week.

My big question is do I continue with the big guy, who fits me better and is more comfortable to ride, but is the bolting becoming a habit? Or do I stick to the little guy who is not as comfortable to ride and may have to retire from showing due to niggling lamenesses that would require meds that prevent showing, but not home riding. I don’t know the answer yet.

But I did order a crash vest, and will replace my helmet at the tack store’s sale this weekend. At the moment I plan to have my trainer ride the big boy when she gets back from her honeymoon, I’ll start with the little guy, and maybe do a lot of trust-building ground work with the big guy and go from there. This year’s show season is out since it’ll be too hot soon, so there’s no rush.

I wan’t to give the big guy a chance, but I’m afraid of another bolt and fall. It’s a tough decision.

[vxf111]

YAYA have you had the horse’s back checked?! That could be something physical like kissing spines?!

[BeeHoney]

Agree that you don’t have to decide this today. Right now you need to recover and get yourself well and build your strength again.

I’ve faced a few health issues and here’s what I’ve come up with–which may or may not apply to you. There are many ways to enjoy horses–you don’t need to be in the jumper ring or even the show ring. Trail riding, fox hunting (hilltopping on a reliable horse), even crazy stuff like reining and gaited horses. Even if these aren’t your first loves, these might be a way for you to enjoy horses during time periods when you aren’t quite physically or mentally up to riding a back cracking jumper. These things can also help you get your confidence back, strength back, and rebuild your trust in horses. Don’t make the mistake of being snooty about other types of horses and other riding disciplines–life is too short.

Secondly, when you get older, fitness matters a lot more. For me, doing supplemental workouts has been essential. I don’t know if it matters hugely what you do, but you really need to do something that strengthens your core and also gives you more endurance. It probably wasn’t realistic to hop on a horse and think that everything would be the same after 8 months of being laid up–so I really don’t think the problem is that you can’t ride anymore or something like that–you just didn’t set yourself up for success. Think of the process you would have taken to get your jumper going again after an 8 month layup, I’m guessing it would have been a much slower process.

Hang in there and I hope your recovery gets on track soon!