When your horse rears up, bashes you in the face with his neck, makes your nose bleed and gives you a black eye.
...
Earlier in the ride ...
I knew as soon as I started tacking Hampton up that he was fresh and in a snarky mood. Looking back I probably should have just lunged him first, but I thought that since we were going to jump today that he would wear out pretty quickly.
We started out doing some caveletti which went pretty well. He wasn't being bad but he was very electric to my leg. There was lots of half halting going on.
I moved on to an in-and-out (1 stride) which was actually quite lovely.
Next up I went to canter a vertical, long bending line to the fan. As soon as I even touched him to canter he rooted the reins out of my hands and wanted to get silly. No big deal. BIG half halt. He wasn't amused with that and from that point on I could barely put my leg on without feeling like he might explode.
(Here is another instance where I should have either lunged him or just let him have a good canter around the field)
At one point I did a full half because the rooting and snarky attitude needed to stop. We halted. He wanted to back without being asked ... this is a big no-no so I tapped him with both legs.
I remember the first small rear and thought "Ok, he's too fresh for this let's just go forward and let him get it out of his system." But after the first rear he just. kept. rearing. The second rear (I think) was when I got my face bashed. After that I was disoriented and merely slumped over hanging on. I had let go of the reins and just remember the world going up and down. One rear was VERY high. I should have turned his head to my knee but I was just so disoriented ... he probably went up and down 4 ot 5 times in a row?
(Oh yeah, I also have strep throat so was already sick and weak ... oh hey another bad decision!)
Eventually I just yelled "Hampton, STOP!" ... and it must have surprised him because he did.
This episode frightened me to tears. Fearing for my safety, I jumped off and immediately went for my lunge line. I know a lot of better horsepeople would have "worked through" the problem and blah blah but this type of behavior I do not tolerate. He cantered and galloped on the lunge line until he was begging to stop.
After that I got back on. Did many walk, halt transitions (perfectly well behaved this time) and went over the jumps I had planned to do in the first place. It was lovely. But the damage had been done.
I was now scared of my horse.
Been there. Don't feel like you compromised by getting off. we can't "work through" things well when we're bleeding, scared or both. Sounds like you made a good decision.
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on my baby ptsd from the last time my mare pulled that crap. It's a very humbling moment when they decide to go up like that...
Safety first! I completely agree with Gingham and I doubt anyone would think less of you for dismounting and lunging. It sounds like something that could have easily escalated into a flip.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're relatively unscathed!
Oh Karen - so sorry to hear about this! I don't have any advice - as bad as Riva has been at times, she has only done one 'baby' rear.
ReplyDeleteLike you, given the situation, I would have got off and ran the hell out of her on the lunge.
You did the right thing!
oh my goodness. That is frightening. I think that you totally did the right thing in getting off.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what he's on for food but I would cut out most of his grain (if he's on it). And lunging when he's like this is a good idea. For many years I had to lunge Irish because he would far too fresh and dangerous.
Been there. The mare just kept going up, higher every time. I bailed mid-third-rear and lunged the snot out of her. Sounds like your ride post-incident was much better than mine was. Don't get down on yourself about it--Hamps doesn't really have a history of that behavior.
ReplyDelete:-/ fear issues suck
You did the right thing - safety first!
ReplyDeleteWe just started schooling outside the ring in an open field. Occasionally I've lost my brakes + steering. On the first try Val started resisting by popping up in the front - barely. I was off in a flash, and schooled the bejesus out of him. Once he was listening to me on the ground we were good to go under saddle.
Has he done this with his other rider?
I think the thing you should focus on is the fact that you got back on. From what you said, had a pretty good ride. I can say this from afar, but try not to dwell. He was just being goofy and I am positive he meant no harm. Sorry that had to happen.
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing, no smart or educated rider in their mind would try and ride through a rearing episode.
ReplyDeleteTake a few days to relax, and see where your confidence is. My friend is going through a similar issue right now and the key is to stay positive.
Yikes. I hope your face is okay. :( you got back on! So you go girl!
ReplyDeleteBad Hampton!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a few months now and I'm really enjoying it. I came out of the woodwork today to tell you that I went through the exact same thing with my OTTB just a few weeks ago. Your post rang so true to what I went through, from the halting turning to rearing and right on down the the "I was now scared of my horse."
It can be so rough sometimes but I've got to have faith that we'll get through it and we'll be a stronger pair because of it. Good on you for getting back on Hampton!
Lauren
Oh my thts not like sirr Hamps allot at all. I hope you are feeling better know. I can relate so much to the can't put my leg on for fear of an explosion. I can also relate to the rear it is frightening and I think more than anything for me it made me feel like I didn't know what he was capable of. But as time went on I relized he is still the same horse as before but I learned that there are certain moments and buttons that I need to learn how to better handle then I did that day. I know you and you will work through this just fine. I just wanted you to know you aren't alone and I am thinking of you. Have a great show and don't let this incident mess with your head just out and ride the amazing horse that you know Hampers is.
ReplyDeleteYikes what the hell was his problem? Regardless, I absolutely think you did the right thing. Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward. It sounds like he was downright belligerent and with an attitude like that, anything was going to turn into a fight! Good call on the lunge line - that way you could call the shots but not be in harm's way.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are safe!! I think we all have those moments where we look back and realize it would have been better to lunge or warm up diferently. We are always learning!!
ReplyDelete