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April 28, 2006
The scariest moment of my life
Yesterday, the most terrible awful thing happened.
Eldest and I had a great time at the baseball game. We're both slightly sunburned but it was a picture perfect day at the field. The Blueclaws lost but everyone had a wonderful time. When it was time to leave, we hauled back home and, luckily, Mom was able to pick up Youngestat her bus stop. I rush around, get things packed up and we all head over to the farm for Eldest's horseback riding lessons.
Her instructor is fantastic. Very capable, calm and is a very experienced rider. She's also an EMT. Eldest really likes her. The lesson is going very smoothly. She is riding very well and is trotting without the lead. The horse is very calm, almost lazy. Eldest really had to kick his sides to get him moving.
I heard a very loud noise - it sounded like an engine revving. Then, I hear my mother gasp very loudly. I look up just in time to see Eldest falling of her horse. I can still see it in my mind - in slow motion - the horse bolting and Eldest just falling back and to the right side of the horse. I run - like a maniac - to the door of the riding ring. The horse is galloping madly around the ring, just out of control. I see the instructor by Eldest's side, helping her up. Her boot came off and she seemed to have no other injuries. She was shaken up and crying. I think I aged 20 years in 10 seconds. My mother was very upset. I've got to give Eldest credit - after a few minutes, her instructor had her get back on the now calm and mellow horse. Eldest rode around while on the lead and finished up her lesson. They brought Rocky (the horse) back into the stable and Eldest helped remove his tack and saddle then brushed him. I'm ready to shoot the friggin' horse at this point.
Thank God she is completely fine. A little sore but she's fine. As for me, well, I'll be attempting to drink away that vison of my 70lb child falling off a 1200lb galloping horse.
Oy.
Posted by Cate at April 28, 2006 10:34 AM
Comments
Yikes!
So very glad to see everything is okay.
Bless you all!
{HUGS}
Posted by: Christina at April 28, 2006 11:05 AM
I'm glad she is ok. It is the most scariest thing to see something happening to your child that at that moment you have no control over!
Posted by: daisy at April 28, 2006 11:51 AM
Yep, it's scary. My middle child fell off not too long ago, too. It's not the actual falling off so much as those galloping hooves right next to the little head that belongs to the person on the ground... (shudder). I share your fear.
When riding horses, it's not a matter of "if" you fall off but "when" and "how bad".
I'm very glad her instructor is also an EMT. One of the first lessons should have been how to do an emergency dismount, and also how to tuck and roll when you do fall off. Thank goodness for helmets, and boots that don't get stuck in stirrups.
AND good for Moira, getting back on and finishing the lesson. That is HUGE. That's what makes a rider. You get back on. :-)
Posted by: Shel at April 28, 2006 12:20 PM
Yay for Moira for getting back on and finishing the lesson. Glad she's ok.
Posted by: caltechgirl at April 28, 2006 03:48 PM
My mother always said that you couldn't count yourself a Formidable Horsewoman until you'd fallen off a few times. I qualified plenty, and have even lived to tell the tale.
Glad she's okay and that the instructor handled it so well.
Posted by: holley at April 28, 2006 06:45 PM
That's one of those moments you see in your head over and over again. They come back to me when I'm trying to go to sleep.
Glad she's ok, and it's great that she got back in the saddle again so quickly. Resilliancy is a good trait to have.
Posted by: Sharon GR at April 28, 2006 09:05 PM
i would have done the neurotic mommy routine when she suggested she get BACK ON. Glad she's ok!
Posted by: HolyMama! at April 29, 2006 12:10 AM
I am so glad that Moira is fine. What a trroper to get back on. Being a Mom is a stressful job! Hugs to you for supporting her.
Posted by: Katy at April 29, 2006 10:49 AM
After several days of my NEEDING a nitro patch & valium, we go back to the farm Tuesday coming for the next lesson...OY!!!
Posted by: The Mom at April 30, 2006 08:50 PM
Oh no! I'm so glad she is ok. Hope you are as well!
Posted by: oddybobo at May 1, 2006 09:47 AM
So glad to hear she's okay...I gotta tell ya'...just reading this had my heart in my feet and she ain't even my kid...
Hope your nerves are a bit more settled also :)
Posted by: Sandy at May 1, 2006 10:53 AM
That really is scary!! I'm glad she is okay.
Posted by: MintyFresh at May 1, 2006 02:48 PM
I'm so glad everything ended up OK.
How scary.
Cas
Posted by: cassie-b at May 2, 2006 11:10 AM
Whew! That *has* to be scary to see. Moira did the right thing by getting back on, though. Good for her!
Posted by: zonker at May 3, 2006 08:42 AM
