Today at work, I was taking the bridle off a horse, when she went to rub on the wall of the wash rack. I went to move her head away from the wall so I could get her halter on. She decided to slam her head into the side of my neck, right below my right ear. I swear I could hear bones breaking, but I think it was just the sound of her bones hitting my bones. I was so stunned at what had happened. I was in immediate pain, and just stood there almost in shock. I finally realized that I needed to put the halter on the horse and hook her up in the cross ties. Both the head trainer and assistant trainer were close by, but they didn't see it happen. I think they heard me make some funny sounds. I am not even sure what I said or did at that point. I put my hand on my neck and there wasn't any blood, but it really hurt to touch. I went to get another horse for the trainer and as I was walking to his stall, I thought I was seeing stars. After about 15 minutes, the assistant trainer looked at my neck and said "Wow, she got you good". I hadn't looked in a mirror yet, so I had no idea what it looked like. But the assistant trainer said my neck was really red. I went to go take some ibuprofen.
A couple hours later, I could really feel the heat building up in my neck. It hurt to touch. My neck is stiff and I can barely turn my head to the right. I started to get a headache, very minor though. After I got home, I went to feed my horses, then went straight for the ice pack in the freezer. Looks like I will be icing my neck all night. I am pretty sure I will be really hurting tomorrow. I am not looking forward to it.
I am actually pretty lucky. If she would have hit me a quarter of an inch higher, she would have gotten me right in the ear, and any higher then that she would have gotten me right in the side of my head, which would have probably knocked me out. That is how hard she hit me. All I know is that I never want to make horse head to human neck contact with a horse again, because IT.HURTS. Period. I must be ONE TOUGH GIRL! Either that or it's that one glass of milk I drink everyday!
Somebody has a Birthday on Saturday! This beautiful girl of mine is turning 11. I can't believe how time flies. I have had her for almost 4 years. Wow. Looks like we will have to throw another Birthday party!
28 comments:
Ouch! You are one tough girl! I know how bad it hurts, and it'll make you more cautious in the future for sure. I'm always afraid of having my nose broken. So easy to do!
Praying for you to get better soon!
oh no, that sounds very painful! i wish you carried essentail oils on you...i have had injuries like that and my panaway and other anti-inflammatory oils are like immediate ice and pain relief. i need to post them on my blog...anyways...sooo very glad you are ok!! pretty scary paint girl. you take care and be extra watchful. wish you would have iced immediately....glad you are ok!
OUch, Man I feel that in sympathy!!!
Are you sure you didnt get a concusion from it? If you Keep having headaches, I would see the doc! Take care of yourself!
You are a good milk drinker so your bones will be strong (and you won't hunch over when you are 80, LOL!)
Sorry you got whacked, I hate to tell you this but it's probably the first of many. When you work with what, 25+ (?) horses a day, your odds of getting hit are that much higher!! :( Remember when Sandy's mare hit me in the nose? Silly me, I was standing in front of her. That happened so fast and it hurt like heck, too! I thought I broke my nose. I think she fixed my deviated septum with that whack! :)
Take care of yourself, hope we can still horse around this weekend!
Forgot to mention, wishing a happy, happy birthday to the Fritzter!!
Happy Birthday to Miss Fritzy! I hope you are not too sore tomorrow, I bet you have a bruise. Take care Cousin and be careful! Are these the times when you think about a nice mundane office job?!
Yikes! Ya know, girfriend, that high up in your spine/neck is pretty crucial to your survival as well! Naughty horsey! Hope you're feeling better soon!
GOODNESS GRACIOUS girl!! I'm so glad your OK!! You are one tough chick but we already knew that!! Hope you feel ok this weekend! You get that checked if it continues to bother you!!
Happy Birthday Fritzy!!
You are definitely tough! Even if nothing had broken I'd have crumpled to the floor crying - after I got the horse in a halter and cross tie of course!
You are also right about where she hit you. If it were higher up it could have snapped your head and broke bones in your neck, your jaw, etc. But man, your neck is gonna be sore!!!
Keep up with the ice and take it easy!
Tough is one thing girl, but I'd say if that pain continues, please go get an xray. Please. Yeah yeah, its the former EMT/ current Mom instinct talking, but like Callie said-- that high up in your neck is crucial to survival (and MOVEMENT!)
Happy Birthday to pretty Fritzy too!
You take good care out there PG. Please.
You give me hope, because as little padding as I have now that I have lost some weight, I know you have less. But I don't have the muscles you do, I'm sure.
Be careful with that. See a chiropractor if you can. Often, if you do before it's a problem, you can prevent them in the future. Ice is your friend.
I had my sniffer broke by a horse headbutt exactly a year ago today lol! I would never do that again either. I didn't cry, cracked my nose back into place and went back to work, it was only 10 am and I had three more barns to do! The worst part was two days later when my mom and I were joking around she accidentally bashed my nose and broke it in a second place where a teeny hairline fracture was. That brought tears to my eyes that time.
I am with you I have to have super strong bones. When I fell off and tore my rotator cuff my left leg right at my calf got stepped on full force by a shod galloping horse. Never broke anything but my nose and a toe or two.
Wow! I'll bet that did hurt, bad! I have never been hit with a horse's head, thank goodness! I have been always lucky enough to get out of the way, yea, you probably should go see a doctor or have an Xray just to be sure you are OK.
Happy Birthday to Fritzy! Gilly is having a birthday on May 5th, he will be 7, can't believe I have had him for 6 years!
Oh man, I feel your pain! That must have really hurt. Good thing you didn't break your neck!
You might want to consider a AFLAC policy if they offer them. I have used mine several times and was able to recoup some of the money spent in a few injuries. Especially the time I feel off of Steph's almost 16H horse when he spooked at a deer. For a 50 yr old woman (then) it was quite a lick.
I'm glad yours wasn't worse. Those equines can be a bit of a pill sometimes! Most of the time though I really think they don't mean to hurt anyone. It is just part of the job you have.
I'm afraid I'm there with Mrs Mom and Callie. After years of being tough and not going to the doc when I should have I've realized it's not tough I've been......but just plain lucky. I've learned even though I am "tough" enough to deal with the pain the hidden dangers are really unfelt until it's too late. Too late is not something I ever want to experience and I wouldn't want it to happen for you either.
Man, I know how much that hurts. I've had a few horses knock me loopy by slinging their heads into mine before.
Definitely get that checked out though if you don't feel better in a couple of days...Remember!! You have insurance now. Use it!! ;)
Oh I am sure you are in agony today...ouch! Hope you are able to move your neck and don't have pain for long. You are one tough girl!
Ouch! I'm glad you weren't hurt serious enough to break anything, but your sister's right in that in your line of work with as many horses as you handle every day, it's given that you'll get hurt. I'll just keep praying that the injuries stay minor with bumps and bruises. Poor thing. I hope this injury isn't too painful tomorrow. Well, at least you're off on Sundays, right?
Happy Birthday to your lovely Fritzy!
~Lisa
I've been hit in the head a couple of times, too. It does hurt!! I hope you're going to be okay--working like you do, with that many horses, is dangerous. Hope you're not feeling too bad today.
sheesh, you are lucky. horses have hard heads. I got whacked in the head by a horse head once and I literally saw stars in a black sky! didn't pass out though.
keep drinking that milk!
- The Equestrian Vagabond
Hello there, I thought I would stop in to see what's new. I don't like hearing this kind of news!! So glad that you were not hurt worse. Slick is starting to want to rub his head all over me after a workout so I'm nippin it in the bud because he can almost knock me over when he does it. Not fun....their heads weigh about 50+pounds too. Hope you don't have anymore head butts like that one! Got milk....drink up! My word identification was mite trap! Funny
Please get it checked out. A friend of mine was recently injured and, after trying a few things to get over it, went in. He found out his neck was broken, and he was this close to being a quadraplegic. He had a stroke because of the vascular damage to the back of his neck, He fully recovered from that. He's 30 years old.
No doubt - then I am the opposite - whenever there has been the chance to break some bones around the horses I have broken them. To each her own - I knew there was some other cowgirl out there with the opposite luck as me.
Paint Girl, I am glad you have strong bones and a tough ole head to protect you from the perils of your job! Do you ever think your job is too much? You work so long and so hard. I know the experinece is EXCELLENT and you have such a high work ethic, but do you ever feel like quitting? Because I know I would be tempted! I know that is not your style! And I only ask half seriously! Because I know you love it! BTW, You totally inspire me. But be careful!! I agree about the essential oils--they will help alot. And maybe some arnica too!
Oh! Happy Birthday to Fritz!
OMG cousin, I'm glad you're ok! That was really a close call...Some of those head whips can really be quick and hard! Im so glad it wasn't worse, but so sorry you are gonna be stiff and sore, You could have a whiplash from that. Might need to get it checked out.
OH! HAPPY BIRHDAY FRITZY!!! I sure wish you could come and be my horse at Cle Elum this year...
Are you sure you are not really injured??? If you do not see any improvement soon -- like 24 hours -- maybe you should have it looked at. You could have chipped something, or a minor concussion????
Happy Birthday Fritzy! Maybe you should make a carrot cake for the party!
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