Close call with a flying hoof
Posted by Bill on Mar 12 2007 at 09:21 pm | Tagged as: Horse Lifestyle
It was a beautiful spring day in east Tennessee so Mikki and I decided to do our chores early while the sun was up and the air was warm. Our horses heard us up at the barn and decided to see if we were offering treats. After forking manure, I headed outside the gate to great our horses and offer up a small treat. Moonshine is a sweety and enjoys a good rub and hug. She’s also bossy. Valentine was standing nearby as I was rubbing Moonshine’s back. And in the blink of an eye, Valentine bolted as Moonshine nipped at him, turned her back and went to kick him. Where was I, you ask? At this point RIGHT BEHIND HER! Fortunately I had quickly jumped back and was only hit on my hand. I had a leather glove on and it startled me more than it hurt but the thought of what could have happened made me thankful I received only a tap on the hand. I’ve seen what a horse kick can do and know how powerful these beasts can be. When Moonshine’s hoof hit my hand, it was in the air right in front of my heart. I’m not trying to be overly dramatic but I could have easily broken a few ribs.
Moral of the story? Well I’m not sure. I guess it’s to always pay attention, especially when there are two horses near each other. At the time my position didn’t seem particularly vulnerable but with an almost 10:1 weight ratio, standing anywhere near a horse can be dangerous.
I’m kinda overly skittish when they start bunching up together, especially when I’m close by…..I find myself making sure there’s an out in case something happens. Two of ours got into a kicking match and my horse lost, with a nice cut under her eye. I am so thankful she didn’t lose her eye!!!
That is a scary thing. My grandpa’s cousin was killed from being kicked in the head by a horse. I’m not around horses much anymore but I remember I used to always be really careful about where I was because of that. I always learned to be right up against the back of a horse if I had to walk behind so if it kicked it wouldn’t have any speed built up when it got me. That’s probably a really basic common sense for horse people but it’s just something I remember. Good to hear you weren’t hurt. Enjoy that warm weather!
Hey Bill! I just wanted to let your know the next Horse Lover’s Blog Carnival will be on March 28th. I hope you will participate.
http://horseapproved.com/2007/03/14/next-horse-lovers-blog-carnival-coming-march-28th/
I recently got kicked by a horse. My hand was cut and I had the wind knocked out of me. I ended up in the local ER thinking I was getting good treatment. I did get my hand stitched up but didn’t get checked for internal injuries. I have a friend who is a trauma repiratory therapist and when she found out she hit the roof. I knew I was lucky but didn’t know how lucky.
What I know now is any kick to the head or body is life threatening even if it doesn’t look or feel like it. A person suffering such an injury should lie down immediately, call 911 and be transported to a trauma facility - not just any old hospital but a trauma center.
A kick from a horse is considered to be one of the most dangerous forms of trauma because it’s such a concentrated powerful blunt force. Injury is not always easily detected and the risk of a “bleed” is exceptionally high.
Recommended treatment can included x-rays and body scans but should always include a minimum of five days hospitalized flat in bed with no movement. The patient isn’t even allowed to eat because of the risk of a bleed.