So Good Yet So Bad

On January 17, 2010 I was out enjoying myself thoroughly with a friend. We had ridden about two miles away from my house, Emma on Coach, and myself on Allegro. We had been out for about 1 1/2-2 hours and hadn't had any problems so far. Coach was being unusually good and Allegro, of course was being great. We had spent most of our ride cantering through corn fields on Lyman Flat Road. I had ridden on a great trail that lend to yet another field, so we decided to take it. Laughing and chatting we cantered around; almost getting stuck in a snow bank up to my 15.3 hand thoroughbreds belly. Both of the horses had handled it well and of course it shook all of us up a bit but we thought little of it for the next 5 or so minutes. We went back into the field that connected to the snow mobile trail getting ready to head home. I was about 1 pony length away from Coach and a little to the side when everything went haywire. Occasionally Coacha gets a little excited whilst cantering and kicks out. On this unlucky yet lucky day I just happened to be in the way of his cow kicking left hind hoof. As Emma later recalled, "It sounded like his hoof was hitting metal." What I remember wasn't the immediate contact of his hoof hitting my lower right leg, but the pain I felt after. I shouted to Emma already hyperventilating, and asked her to help me stop. I watched her pull Coach to a stop her face a little pale. She ran over to me and struggled to stop Allegro who as usual still wanted to be galloping. To completely stop Allegro she had to let go of Coach's reins, just long enough for him to get a head start towards home. I think I remember telling her something like this, "Go catch him, I'll try and keep going" Knowing me, a little bit of pain while riding doesn't usually stop me. I could feel my bone shifting inside of my half chap. I knew it was broken. Calling to her she ran over, letting go of the horse she just caught to help me stop my crazy pony. Without too much pain she helped me get off of Allegro and helped me sit down. All three of our wacko little dogs were with us, but only Ixta ran over and stopped next to me for about 5 seconds before running off. Mango had immediately left running towards home, we think to go get help. Popo has trouble getting though the corn stalks, so of course he couldn't come over and check in on me. Meanwhile I was sitting on the cold snow covered ground, while Emma struggled to get on Allegro. I shouted directions something like this, "Follow the trail and take a left. Follow the road that we were on and go to the nearest house." She was already a fair distance away from me and didn't hear my complete directions. I watched her run off along side Leggy, Coach far ahead his reins and lead rope flapping as he galloped towards the road. For what felt like 45 minutes I sat on the snowy ground with a compound fracture crying and shouting. It had started to snow and was getting darker by the second. It turned out that my hero of the day, Emma had taken a right instead of a left and had gone to the second nearest house. From what I hear she arrived at the door a nervous and scared, yet brave girl. They had called 911 from the first responders house and had walked to the field as quickly as they could. I felt a jolt of relief run through me as I saw her orange vest come into view. I had spent the whole time she was gone getting help crying and shouting. I hadn't felt the pain or the cold: my body had thankfully blocked it out. As soon as the EMT's had arrived I realized how cold I was. Luckily the first responders cell phone had service in the middle of a corn field and we were able to call my dad and have him drive out. My brother and Emma ended up walking the two horses home in the snowy darkness, while I got a ride in an ambulance to Cooley Dick. They took ex-rays around 9 something after I had been there for about 3 or 4 hours. I was transported to Bay state where my families favorite orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Burns was on call for the night. Around 12 o'clock I went into surgery and came out around 1 o'clock no problem.

The next morning I was told to leave the hospital I had to walk out of the room and up and down five stairs (On crutches of course). I painfully watched the little girl who I was sharing the room with throw a temper tantrum about not wanting to leave the hospital. I feel bad for that little girl. I did end up doing what I needed to to leave the hospital and was leaving at around maybe, 2 or 3 o'clock in the after noon. I got to choose what we would be eating that night and of course it was sushi. We arrived home at 6 or 7 and were greeted by my dear friend Dory and her family. I hung out with her and her sister Eolann for a little before they had to go. The next day Dory came back and spent the whole day with me. A couple days later Emma came over and we reflected on the drama together. We decided that the experience had been a good one. It had taught both of us a good lesson and had matured both of us a little bit more. Even though it was quite a drama it didn't scare either of us away from riding or horses. She was back riding the same week, and I was riding about a month later thanks to Erin and Cowboy. I am now riding and enjoying my life to the fullest, being fully healed.

There are so many people I could thank, but I will only name a few, of course I would like to thank Emma for being so great, My fambly for everything they did for me while I was handicapped, Dr. Burns for being such a kind souled and great surgeon, My grandpa and grandma for being great, Dory and her fambly for being so nice and for being great friends, Emily and her family for coming over, giving me gifts and entertainment, Erin for everything, My teacher Linda for everything she did, my class for being so warm and welcoming, and everyone else who helped me through this. Thank you all.

Indra