I have done some pretty stupid things with horses. Some I didn’t realize I shouldn’t have done, sometimes I knew better. I am sharing with you so maybe you can learn from my mistakes.
Practicing trailer loading without trailer hitched. If you are practicing loading, most likely your horse isn’t calm and collected. A trailer that is on a block can fall off the block if your horse jumps around and in my case, send the horse crashing into you. I was OK, but lucky.
Tying a horse to an unhitched trailer. I tied two horses to an unhitched trailer. Both spooked and pulled the trailer with them. How spooky is it to have 2000 pounds dragging behind two freaked out horses? Terrifying.
Forgetting to buckle your helmet. As you will learn, I am a big supporter of helmets. I never ride without one and if you see a picture of me without one, it was early in my riding days when I thought it was OK to show without one (I feel differently now). Three days ago I put my helmet on over my polar fleece hat. I didn’t buckle it as I was doing groundwork first. Because of the hat, it fit really tightly and I did my entire ride without it latched. God was watching out for me because it was two days later that I came off (and hit my head) when Zapa spooked at a car door being slammed.
Handling an upset horse without gloves. I got serious rope burns and had to carry around bags of ice in BOTH of my hands for three days when I helped someone unload a horse (not mine) that was really freaked out. She pulled so hard and fast there was no time to let go. You should always wear gloves when trailering. I must admit I am lazy about that with my own horses because they are good about it, but I always have them handy, just in case. I pledge to be better about this.
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2 comments:
I was pre-warned about the trailer scenarios so luckily I have avoided those mistakes (but I have made a bajillion others), but I have had my share of rope burns.
Here is a warning of my own - Never ever buy reins or lead ropes made of nylon. Cotton or leather will give you a bad burn, but nylon slices through flesh LIKE A KNIFE. I have the multiple scars on my hands to prove it.
I learned many years ago to always wear gloves when doing any ranch/farm work. Rope burns are not the only hazards to hands. Pinched, yanked, twisted fingers along with rusty cuts can really cramp your style.
Though lock jaw is not quite the hazard it once was I'm sure many people don't always remember to get their tetnus shots renewed in a timely manner.
I got my last one right after a horse stepped on my toe, breaking the nail and skin.
I only had sandals on because I'd dropped by "for just a couple minutes" to say hello to my mother's horse.
Inside its turnout.
Without socks.
Stupid me. I knew better.
Safe practices are a must. That is, if you are to enjoy horsing around for many years.
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