My helmet saved my life. There were days I wished it hadn’t, but I’ll get to that soon enough. I had turned 18 on Dec 3, 1991. I was among the top in my region and nationally ranked in junior hunters (Large and Small) and Equitation. On December 5, a horse I was schooling over jumps refused the jump. I applied the crop twice, circled him and came back to the jump.He reared and lost his balance, going over backwards. I couldn’t get free and he landed on top of me, fracturing L-3 L4 L5, S1-S2. There was major spinal cord compression. He bloodied my nose each time he rolled to try and get up. Blacked both my eyes, my cheeks, split my lips and broke a front tooth. I’ve had spinal fusion, nerve blocks and been paralyzed three times as a result of that one fall. But I’m up and walking, thanks to technology!
When Bozo the Green Hunter prospect finally got up, I was pressed several inches into the new footing that had just been installed, a peat and sawdust mix.I did have a concussion, but my point is I was wearing an ASTM approved helmet that day, one I usually never wore. I figured it was a green horse, why take chances? If not for that thought, I would have had my skull crushed in. I ended up with a severe concussion anyway.
I’m getting on a horse again. Less than one month from now, I will be mounting up for a two hour trail ride. My first time since October 1993. Almost 20 years after my last ride, I’ll be mounting up again. Western, and I’ll be wearing a helmet.
Because no matter how gentle the horse is, it’s still a horse, still a prey animal, and anything can happen. And I will always be prepared, no matter what. Even if this is my last ride, it will be with a helmet. People can mock me all they like, but I rather like my brain unscrambled!
If you take anything from this, it’s that I would be DEAD without that helmet. I still have it, crack and all. It reminds me regularly to nag my riding friends to buckle up when they saddle up.
- Debra Furphy
