Latest from Horse & Hound in Injuries

Culture change needed as vet injuries played down and ‘discussed like pub stories and banter’

Becky Murray — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:03:12 +0000

Injuries sustained by equine vets get “discussed like pub stories”, as new research highlights concerning attitudes towards kicks and bites, and the need for a culture change.

H&H reported that CVS Equine vets and nurses will wear safety helmets when handling horses. This was a result of research published by the University of Liverpool on 25 April, which found that more than 90% of vets had been injured while working (news, 29 May).

The study also found that one in four recent injuries required hospital attendance and 16% resulted in a fracture. The most common injuries were kicks to the leg and head, and although 58% of injured vets took more than a week to physically recover from an injury, only 6.7% took more than a week off work.

Lead researcher John Tulloch, who published a paper in January on a lack of injury reporting in the industry, told H&H the work considered events leading up to an injury – and the behaviour of those injured afterwards.

“The aim was to identify areas where we can try and minimise the number of injuries occurring in future but also minimise the severity,” said Dr Tulloch.

“The second most common injury was a kick to the head and that in itself is quite terrifying. If there’s any way we can help stop those things happening, or reduce the severity, that’s going to be a really good thing.”

One vet quoted in the study fractured a foot and instead of taking time off, cut a hole in their shoe and carried on doing the job.

“There are lots of instances like that where they should have stopped working or done desk work until they were better. Some of that was to do with the guilt of burdening colleagues, which is understandable, but also a sense of inevitability that injuries are always going to happen when you’re working with horses,” said Dr Tulloch.

“That shows a culture that needs tweaking, because if you’re injured, you’re much more likely to get injured again and you’re increasing the risk to others around you.”

Dr Tulloch said creating a culture change is “challenging” when there is an acceptance of injury.

“I know, from working in the vet world, injuries are sometimes discussed like pub stories – and because you’ve come out the other end and you’re ok, it’s talked about in that bantering kind of way, but without necessarily the reflection side of ‘What can I do differently, how can we improve this so others in future don’t get injured?’,” he said.

“That’s where CVS’s hat policy is really good, but the main drive will need to be that change in culture, and adopting personal protective equipment is part of the bigger picture to get that attitude and behavioural change.

“There has been lots of focus around rider safety, cross-country and road safety, and keeping the general equestrian injury-free – and I think the same effort now probably needs to be put on vets and others working with horses.”

Lucy Grieve, the British Equine Veterinary Association’s projects officer, told H&H the study “serves as another reminder of the dangers faced by vets working with large animals”.

“While we know there are risks which cannot be completely avoided, there are measures we can take to minimise the overall chance of injury as well as the severity if it were to happen,” she said.

“As Tulloch et al highlight, there is still a ‘c’est la vie’ attitude to injury in the farming and equestrian industries, which isn’t helping us learn from mistakes. If we want people to be safer and horses to be calmer, we have to view incidents, including near-misses, with the respect they deserve. Why did they happen and how can they be prevented in future?”.

Miss Grieve said this change will only happen if “we start recording, discussing and examining those situations properly”.

“Then we can start to learn, employ appropriate techniques and put measures in place. This may include better training for staff and clients, which many have already undertaken, whether it’s adding to the 120,000 views of BEVA’s ‘Don’t break your vet’ YouTube videos, demonstrating training techniques to help horses and their handlers to undertake routine procedures from clipping and loading to worming and injecting – or vets and nurses completing BEVA’s online modular ‘Hold Your Horses’, created by vet and specialist in equine veterinary behaviour Gemma Pearson to provide a course to learn about equine behavioural science and apply techniques in practice to help their patients’ welfare and improve the safety of veterinary teams in their day-to-day work.

“There is no doubt that carrying out veterinary work in a suitable environment with appropriate facilities and necessary equipment, which may include hats and steel toecap boots, will help prevent people sustaining injuries that could range from minor wounds to life-changing, or even fatal.”

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‘If your horse was lame, you wouldn’t ignore it’: riders reminded to get injuries checked out

Becky Murray — Mon, 12 May 2025 14:56:19 +0000

Riders have been reminded to “treat themselves as they would their horses” when it comes to foot and ankle concerns, and to have niggles looked at before they become problematic.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Nik Nanavati, who has private clinics in Sheffield, Lincolnshire and Doncaster, has seen a rise in equestrians requiring treatment for various foot and ankle conditions, and believes there is a need for better understanding among riders of things that can go wrong.

Dr Nanavati told H&H that alongside “elective conditions”, such as arthritis, Achilles tendon issues and heel pain, riders are also prone to sprains, tears and injuries associated with the foot becoming trapped in the stirrup in a fall, such as a ligament injury known as a “Lisfranc”.

He described riders as a “unique population” when it comes to dealing with injuries.

“Riders are usually very stoic characters. You’ve got to have some gusto to get on a powerful animal. So with that, I think, comes the ability to self-manage and maybe not take too much notice of injuries that would otherwise be painful to a lot of other people, and just be able to soldier on,” he said.

“Riders tend to be in a different category to other athletes in terms of their pain threshold, functional abilities and willingness to return to their hobby at a much quicker rate than a lot of sports.”

Dr Nanavati recommends that equestrians have pain and injuries checked by a medical professional, before they become bigger problems.

“Riders are pretty aware of the injuries they can sustain in the upper limbs, but when it comes to the foot and ankle, a lot of the time it’s assumed there’s little wrong. It’s having awareness that if you do have any pain or have sustained an injury, to get this looked at so it doesn’t deteriorate,” he said.

“I think a lot of people can be scared that ankle and foot issues are going to stop them getting back on or looking after their horses. But often with elective conditions, we can treat things with either medication or simple injections. Even if surgery is required, often rehabilitation doesn’t mean that riders can’t continue to look after their horses.”

Physiotherapist Anna Nanavati, Dr Nanavati’s wife, whose equestrian clients have included Becky Moody, agreed that generally riders tend to delay getting concerns looked at until they have become worse.

“Many injuries I’ve treated have been chronic ankle sprains from doing normal yard work, or walking across an unlevel field, rather than injuries caused by riding,” she told H&H. “My mantra is to treat yourself like you would your horse; if you brought your horse in and they were consistently lame, you wouldn’t ignore it.

“The same comes to rehabbing injuries; if your vet gives your horse six weeks’ box rest and in-hand walking, you wouldn’t skimp on that and just return to competing. So if you’re given rest and rehab, we say it for a reason because that’s how long it physically takes your body for the repair process. Any faster than that and you’re just going to end up with more problems down the line.”

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‘It was horrendous’: top eventer recovers from serious injury to become broodmare

Pippa Roome — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:15:12 +0000

Eventer Hollywood Dancer, who was placed at four-star, has made a remarkable recovery from a serious injury and will be put in foal this year.

Rider Dani Evans explained that “Holly” was out on grass livery following a small injury – “a tiny niggle” – in the spring of last year when she suffered a freak accident in the field.

“I had a call to say I needed to get there quickly and when I saw her it was quite a shock to see the damage,” Dani told H&H. “We think something had gone along her ribcage and side, so there was a massive laceration and it had pierced a lung. It was quite horrendous to see – and hear because it had gone into the lung.”

“We had a make a decision [on whether to put her down] and it wasn’t easy standing in a muddy field on top of a hill. She is owned by Ann Butler, an incredible lady who has been an owner with me for about 15 years. She was on holiday and I couldn’t get hold of her for what seemed like hours, but was probably only really 10 minutes.”

Ann said to Dani to follow the vets’ guidance, and although it was clear the then 11-year-old mare’s ridden career was over, the vets felt she could be saved.

“You couldn’t have a better broodmare, so it was worth going through the process, although she went through a lot of complications. She’s well now and having a nice life so it completely proves it was the right decision, but it was a long slow process,” said Dani.

Holly spent four months in a veterinary hospital and Dani paid tribute to B&W Equine Vets, especially Dicky Hepburn, and Lizzie Kopec, a Bristol vet student who kept a horse at Dani’s yard and who was working at the vets.

“She was very helpful with communication and knowing Holly,” she said.

Holly then went for rehabilitation at Sarah George’s Team Green Horses.

Dani said: “What Sarah did was amazing – she took a horse who looked quite thin and unwell and within weeks had her looking well with a shiny coat. Holly was also very lucky to have an owner like Ann, and I can’t thank her enough for sticking with it. It was lovely to see an owner prove how much the horses mean to them – not the weekends away and results, but the horse becoming part of the family.”

Hollywood Dancer returned to Dani’s yard in December and is now going out in the field during the day and staying in at night.

Dani started a small breeding programme last year and will now work with Ann to breed from Holly. The aim is to do this as a business and sell her offspring, but Ann will keep one herself to event. They plan to put her in foal this spring and they may also do an embryo transfer.

Hollywood Dancer is by the Contender grandson Dantos out of a mare by Numero Uno. In her eventing career she won 10 times, including being British five-year-old champion and taking international classes at CCI* (now CCI2-L) and CCI3-L, and finished fifth at Chatsworth and 10th at Bramham and Burnham Market at CCI4*-S level.

“I want to find a stallion that makes up for the small things she lacks so I’m asking lots of knowledgeable people,” says Dani, who is considering Amira Z or Diamant De Semilly.

“She does lack blood but I don’t want to go to something too thoroughbred initially as I want something that can jump and I want to see how well her offspring keep her jump. She was not a horse to feel tired, but we never got the chance to see if she would be blood enough to do it at the top level.

“She has an amazing brain so it doesn’t matter if the sire is a bit sharper. We are fortunate she has the best temperament and attitude to work; she’s been a winner throughout her career and I wouldn’t mind another 10 Hollys in my stable.”

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‘I had a string of great horses… and two weeks later it was gone’: how to bounce back after a string of bad luck

Rhea Freeman — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:02:47 +0000

It can be hard to pull yourself back in line after a string of what might be described as ‘bad luck’ — when not one thing goes wrong, but a number of things follow in fairly quick succession. Sometimes these ‘things’ are caused by the first incident, sometimes they aren’t. Here, we catch up with four successful riders who have had strings of bad luck due to various reasons, find out how they came through this, and the tips that helped them.

Harriet Morris-Baumber won team bronze at the 2009 CIC2* (now CCI3*S) Europeans and had a string of three really good event horses. And then all three retired from competing at that level, and her novice/intermediate horse sustained an injury too, so she was left with no horses to ride, no additional funds to buy horses, and no owners at that level.

“I just filled the yard with anything I could,” explains Harriet. “It was only when I saw a friend who was doing the same but in racing that the situation hit home. I was riding anything, but when I saw what she was doing it gave me the impetus to send the horses back home, refresh and revaluate. I only rode at two events in a two-year period.”

After a high profile car accident, event rider Aaron Millar’s life changed forever. Not only was Aaron left with serious injuries that led him to spend two-and-a-half months in hospital, he also had to process the accident that saw two of his friends also sustain life-changing injuries and, sadly, the death of a friend that was also travelling in the car at the same time. If this wasn’t bad enough, horses were leaving the yard as he was still in hospital, and some left before he’d even come around following the accident.

“It was awful,” says Aaron. “The accident was horrific on every level, and then having horses that I’d worked on since they were four-years-old leaving was so hard. I’d just moved to a new yard with better facilities, I had a string of great horses… and two weeks later it was gone. I understand why the owners moved their horses, but it was an incredibly hard thing to deal with for me.”

Showjumper Holly Smith also lost owners after picking up an injury. She sustained a bad break that completely shattered her ankle after falling off and landing on her feet. “It was so hard to deal with at the time,” she said.

Franky Reid- Warrilow had a run of bad results, then her top horse sustained an injury. This followed breaking her hip and collarbone over the course of a few years.

“Together it sounds awful, but I accepted that the issues I was facing were very much part of the sport,” says Franky. “You get bad results sometimes, horses get injured, and riders break bones… and seeing it for what it was was really important for me.

“The broken bones were the easiest to deal with. The horse injury was much worse as there’s so much emotion connected to a horse injuring itself.”

In all, Aaron didn’t compete for a year. During this time a syndicate that had been set up fell through via email — there was a large financial impact as the business still had overheads and so much more too.

“I also had the extra issue that, because of the accident and how high profile it was, people had concerns about my fitness, and I get that, but it made me incredibly determined.”

Harriet used the time after she sent horses home to concentrate on teaching, look at what other professionals were doing, and researching syndicates and how they worked.

“I knew syndicates worked really well in racing so I spent a lot of time looking at the reasons people pay to be a part of them and it was mostly down to the experience,” says Harriet. “It wasn’t always about winning, and I knew that I could provide owners with the most amazing experience and that mum and dad would be able to help with that too — it’s worked so, so well.”

Although Holly lost some of her competition horses following her accident, the issue also led her to find a new owner and the horse that took her to the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG).

“I had known Gordon (Hall) for a while, but when I came out of hospital he came on board as an owner and we bought a horse that took me to WEG. Without the accident I wouldn’t have done that.”

As for tips, staying positive was a big thing for Harriet and, in fact, this positivity helped her to attract owners to her syndicate, which allowed her to invest in the horsepower she needed.

Self-belief can play a huge part in navigating hard times, as Holly well knows.

“For me, just keeping going is what changed things around. I had to look after myself and kept focused on what had worked well for me before the accident, although it wasn’t always easy.”

“I was given a really good piece of advice by a sports psychologist that helped my mindset — and that’s not to look sideways,” said Franky. “When you start comparing yourself to others, it can make your situation seem a lot worse. Being realistic with where my horses are in terms of being competitive has helped me too. But now, instead of comparing myself to other people, I focus on my personal bests as that’s something I can influence.”

Aaron suggests that finding that support network is really important.

“Make sure the people around you want the best for you — that’s been such a huge help for me. Seeking professional help too, in the form of fitness as well as for the PTSD I suffered has been key.

“The thing is, truly horrific things can happen, they can change your life in an instant, and it can be incredibly hard to process, but it does get easier. My perspective on life has changed and I have a lot of qualities I didn’t have before, and that has helped me with other aspects of my life. But for me, one piece of advice that changed things has to be that I needed to be the one to make the change, get up, and keep going.”

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Rider recovers from broken back to qualify for Badminton grassroots championships

Becky Murray — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 20:33:10 +0000

An event rider who broke her back in a fall a year ago is looking forward to making her Badminton debut at the BE90 grassroots championships in May.

British Horse Society accredited coach Eilidh Herd fell from her former racehorse Rossie when he spooked and took off broncing while she was schooling him on 30 December 2021.

Aberdeen-based Eilidh told H&H she was unable to get up but initially thought she had just winded herself.

“I lay there and took a few deep breaths and thought ‘I’ll be fine’. But then I still couldn’t get up,” she said.

Eilidh went to hospital and an X-ray showed she had broken her L1 vertebra.

“I’ve had injuries in the past and said ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine’, but I knew deep down this time there must be something wrong because I had actually gone to hospital,” said Eiidh.

“I was sent for a CT scan and was told the fracture was stable, so they didn’t need to operate. I was sent home with painkillers and told not to lift anything too heavy. It was quite a strange time as it was still during Covid when hospitals didn’t really want people in them, and so most of my follow-ups were done by telephone.”

Eilidh was still able to teach during her recovery but could not move poles and jumps, or offer riding or clipping.

“A lot of what I do in winter is keeping horses ticking over and clipping, so it really had a big impact on my work life for a few months, until I was able to do a bit more,” she said.

“At the time I had five horses at home, and although I wasn’t doing any heavy lifting I was still doing what I could – I’d have gone crackers otherwise. I had been told I was fine to be on my feet, and generally I was more comfortable walking than sitting; lying down was complete torture.”

When Eilidh was able to return to the saddle, she started on her small cob Annie.

“My confidence had been killed, but I wanted to get back on because I was convinced the longer I didn’t, the harder it was going to be. I didn’t want to let myself get to the point where I thought, ‘I’m never getting back on’,” she said. “I am very lucky because Annie is as safe as houses, she’s easy and doesn’t have a bad bone in her body and I knew she wouldn’t do anything silly.

“I built up riding again on Annie, then moved on to my other mare Bridget who’s also pretty sensible. Then later I started riding my event horse Eddie again.”

Eilidh built up her riding, and started physio sessions with Caroline Frew of Perform Chartered Physio, which she says made a “huge difference”. She also trained with dressage rider Charlie Hutton and five-star event rider Wills Oakden, to help build her confidence back up.

Although she had no plan to event last year while she continued her recovery, when Burgie Horse Trials announced its 2022 summer event would be its final one after 45 years, Eilidh did not want to miss it and put in a last-minute entry for herself and Eddie (Zuccheros Deff Leppard).

“Burgie was where I rode my first event in 2005, so I had to go to their last. I did it, and after that I thought we could probably manage another, and then we ended up winning the BE90 at Glamis Castle,” she said.

“After Glamis everyone convinced me to do the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival at Blair Castle in August, so we did that and we came third.”

A number of weeks later Eilidh received notification that she had qualified for the BE90 Badminton Grassroots Championships. She and Eddie had previously qualified for the 2020 event, the year Badminton was cancelled to Covid.

“I thought only the winner at Blair qualified, but it turned out the top three did so it was a complete surprise. I told a couple of friends and they said ‘You have to go!’,” she said.

“It’s going to be a long drive that we’ll need to split over a couple of days but my friend Anna Miller has agreed to come and support me. Hopefully the weather will be kind over the next few weeks and we manage to do a bit more riding.

“It’s all really exciting. The plan is to get him fit and get to some more lessons, I haven’t jumped since Blair so I’ll need to get myself jumping again and I hope to see Wills for some training. The biggest issue since the fall has been my confidence. Confidence is so easily lost and hard to get back and I still sometimes kick myself, but I know you just have to keep pushing yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone.”

‘My bone snapped outside of my leg’: young rider returns from serious injury to finish with ponies on a high

Becky Murray — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 16:33:25 +0000

A young eventer who sustained two open fractures in a freak fall last year forcing her out of the saddle for six months, has rounded off her final year on ponies on a high.

North Yorkshire-based Emily Worsdale, 16, was preparing for the Bishop Burton international youth championships last July, when her home-bred pony Miss Winifred Wilde was spooked by a pheasant during a schooling session in the field, resulting in the mare slipping and falling.

Emily suffered two open fractures of her tibia and fibula and needed surgery to insert pins and rods into her leg.

“Winnie lost her footing, landed on top of me and my bone snapped outside of my leg. I had to learn to walk with a zimmer frame and I wasn’t allowed to ride for six months,“ Emily told H&H.

“I’ve always been the one to ride Winnie so we gave her the time off while I recovered. I was itching to get back on and when I did in January I was so happy, I don’t think I’ve ever smiled that much on a horse.”

Emily said the original plan had been to sell Winnie last year as she moved on to horses, but it was decided to keep her one more year so she was getting back on a familiar pony after her time out of the saddle. The pair’s 2022 season started at Lincolnshire in March where they finished on their dressage score in the BE100Open for 11th place.

“We had missed most of the winter training so we had to use our early events as our training,” said Emily, who was again selected for the Bishop Burton international youth championships this autumn, after missing the competition last year.

“We’ve had a great season, I couldn’t ask for any more. We were fourth in the two-star at Cornbury on 8th September and finished on our dressage score – she was insane.”

Winnie will be sold as Emily makes the step up to horses, with hopes of running her own event yard in the future.

“I’ve ridden Winnie her whole life, we’ve produced each other. She means everything to me and it will be hard when the time comes for her to move on,” said Emily.

‘They don’t go to hospital unless something’s hanging off’: research shines light on equestrian-related injuries

Becky Murray — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 19:03:52 +0000

RISK of hospitalisation from equestrian-related injuries has been “severely underappreciated”, data suggests.

A study, Hearing hoofbeats? Think head and neck trauma: a 10-year NTDB analysis of equestrian-related trauma in the USA, by researchers in Texas, analysed data from the US National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2016 to look at injuries recorded as horse-related with the aim of allowing the development of “targeted prevention strategies”. As part of the work, researchers compared the data against studies looking at motorcycle racing, skiing and football and said this research mirrors previous findings that the proportion of trauma centre admissions from equestrian injuries was higher, and when taken together the data suggests the dangers of equestrian activities has been “severely underappreciated”.

Of the 24,791 injuries analysed, 37.07% were in the chest region and 22.95% were head injuries. Riders aged between 50 and 59 were most likely to visit trauma centres.

One of the researchers, trauma surgeon Jeffrey Skubic, told H&H it is hoped the study will raise awareness about wearing protective equipment, especially in the US where Western riding is more common.

“A lot of these injuries can be prevented if riders wear helmets or a vest [body protector],” said Dr Skubic. “What concerns us is when we compare the data to previous studies on skiing, motorcycle riding or football, there is a higher injury rate in riding. People traditionally think of getting on a motorcycle as dangerous, but it’s a machine that you can control the majority of the time. A horse has a mind of its own and you don’t know what it’s going to do.”

“We also want to raise awareness to trauma surgeons when they are getting a patient who has fallen off a horse to know what injuries they should be looking for.”

Major trauma consultant Diane Fisher, the British Equestrian Trade Association’s chief medical officer, told H&H she welcomes the study but that it is difficult to compare like for like between the US and the UK owing to the difference in riding styles, as more US riders do not wear a safety helmet. There is a national database that collects major trauma records in the UK, but it does not specifically collect equestrian data and this is something Dr Fisher is calling for.

“There is a definite mismatch between medics’ knowledge of equestrian injuries and potential for injury, because they don’t understand the mechanism by which we hurt ourselves,” she said. “On top of this, you have a community as a whole who jump back on with fractured ribs or broken arms. They’re late presenters and don’t go to hospital unless something is hanging off, and even then it can be days later.”

Dr Fisher added the importance of wearing safety helmets when handling horses on the ground and praised Charlotte Dujardin for wearing her helmet during her Tokyo Olympic trot-up with Gio.

Education on how horses learn may help keep vets safe

Becky Murray — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 20:00:01 +0000

Understanding how horses learn may be beneficial in preventing vets sustaining injuries when dealing with “difficult” horses, research has suggested.

A study, Difficult horses – prevalence, approaches to management of and understanding of how they develop by equine veterinarians, by researchers of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, aimed to document the challenges faced by vets when dealing with difficult horses and their approaches to managing them, including their understanding of the processes through which horses learn.

Participants completed a survey and of 168 responses, 95% reported working with difficult horses on at least a monthly basis. Some 579 injuries were recorded in the past five years, of which 37% resulted in continued discomfort or loss of function. The most common unwanted behaviours were horses being bargy, not standing, or being needle-shy – but these were encountered less frequently by vets who had more years of experience. The most popular methods of dealing with unwanted behaviour were physical or chemical restraint, with 99% of respondents considering sedation very or fairly useful. Some 84% of respondents said they understood the term positive reinforcement, but when tested on what this meant, only 19% were correct. Of the 80% who said they understood negative reinforcement, 33% were correct when tested on its meaning.

Veterinary behaviourist and lead author Gemma Pearson, who has also published research on whether educational intervention can be used to help students become better at dealing with difficult horses, told H&H it was concerning how dangerous being an equine vet can be – and how frequently they were coming across difficult horses.

“These are injuries being caused by horse behaviour – whether they’ve been kicked or struck – and yet nobody teaches vets about horse behaviour. It’s assumed they’ll pick it up,” she said.

“It’s perhaps unsurprising that a lot of vets felt they understood equine behaviour really well because they spend a lot of time working with horses, but when we actually tested them on it, their knowledge of the processes through which horses learn were really poor. It’s disappointing, but probably not surprising. I’ve dealt with lots of vets who say ‘the horse is needle-shy and it’s just stubborn’ but they’re negatively reinforcing the behaviour, and actually we can reinforce an alternative behaviour.”

Ms Pearson runs courses for vets on practical learning theory and, in 2018, launched videos as part of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s (BEVA) Don’t Break Your Vet Campaign including a video showing how to inject a horse safely using positive reinforcement with clicker training and food. This year, for the first time, vet students studying at the University of Edinburgh will have lectures on learning theory and horse behaviour.

Lucy Grieve, chair of the BEVA ethics and welfare committee, told H&H the study demonstrates a potential problem “across the board” when it comes to horse behaviour.

“Everyone has their opinions on how to handle difficult horses, but with so much anecdote, and simply ‘doing what one has always done’, there has been little time spent trying to understand if there is a better, safer way,” she said.

“The more we can understand what people are doing, how well those things work, what effect it has on the horse short- and long-term, and whether it reduces the risk of injury, the better.”

“As a practising vet on the road, often with little help when things get hairy, I have suffered my own injuries and been lucky to walk away from some pretty terrifying situations. But since I adopted the methods Gemma has been promoting, such as those featured in the BEVA Don’t Break Your Vet campaign, I can say they really work. I have several needle-shy horses which nearly hospitalised people and forced vets to abandon procedures due to fear of safety. Thanks to Gemma’s techniques based on how horses learn, these horses are now happily injected with no fear or danger in sight. This has to be the way forward. Safety is paramount in every case, but the methods used need to be sustainable and ethical.”

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H the charity is encouraged to see this type of research being undertaken as equine mental health and the safety of vets, and other paraprofessionals, are “hugely important issues that warrant much closer attention”.

“Too often, if an equine displays ‘unwanted’ behaviour, it is described as behaving badly or being difficult. But there is usually an underlying reason for displaying this behaviour, such as being confused or in pain,” he said.

“It is deeply concerning that so many vets are injured by horses they are trying to help, and it is unsurprising that the most popular method of dealing with these ‘difficult’ horses is physical or chemical restraint. The problem is this treats the symptom and not the cause, and using physical restraint might make the horse even more difficult to control the next time.”

Mr Owers added that while people are “generally good” at evaluating the physical welfare of horses, understanding their mental welfare is still “relatively novel”, although it is just as important.

“The use of learning theory – understanding how horses take in and process the world around them – and how we can use this knowledge to effectively and compassionately train horses – is crucial to promoting better handling and training methods,” he said. “There is a great opportunity for the veterinary profession to champion this type of approach as a way of not only protecting themselves but also promoting improved equine mental wellbeing. Many owners are not aware about learning theory and how to incorporate it into their daily handling and training and vets are perfectly placed to help to fill this gap.”

Injured four-star rider forced to ‘write off’ eventing season looks to the future

Becky Murray — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 20:03:56 +0000

An event rider is looking to the future after overcoming two serious injuries that ruled out his competition season.

Four-star rider and coach James Stocker, 24, suffered a rotational fall with mare Mistral Mish Mash in the intermediate class at Tweseldown on 2 April that resulted in two broken collar bones.

“We were three from home in the cross-country when the horse left a leg, fell, and landed on top of me,” James told H&H, adding Mistral Mish Mash was not injured in the fall.

“The paramedics identified I had broken one collar bone, but when I was taken to hospital for X-rays it was found I had broken both. I’ve never been in so much pain. The worst part was when we were on our way to hospital I could feel both bones rubbing together and moving up and down, it’s a feeling I won’t forget.”

James was sent home from hospital with two slings to support the breaks.

“It’s quite difficult as collarbones can’t be put in a cast so all you can do is wear a sling,” he said.

“It was quite upsetting as you don’t realise how much you use your collarbones, suddenly your freedom is taken away. I couldn’t do simple things like brush my own teeth or drive.”

James was put in touch with renowned “jockey doctor” Philip Pritchard and was introduced to the ClaviBrace, a product designed by Barbara Thompson to support clavicle fractures. James then began a treatment programme with specialist orthopaedic surgeon Ian Bayley of Clementine Churchill Hospital to straighten his collarbones weekly, with support from the ClaviBrace.

“It took quite a while for things to improve at first and I had to move back to my parents home in Cornwall. But the brace made me much more comfortable, and I was in a lot less pain than before,” said James.

James said thanks to Dr Bayley he returned to the saddle sooner than he thought he would – at the end of the May. He was signed off as a patient, but the following day tore a ligament in his knee that required surgery.

“I was bending down to pick something up when it happened. It was so frustrating having got back on board the week before. After the surgery I had to wear a full leg brace for six weeks and that’s when I wrote the rest of the eventing season off for my horses,” said James.

“The recovery was difficult as I couldn’t really use crutches because my collarbones aren’t as strong as someone else’s might be. But after a couple of weeks of pottering around I was able to go back to teaching.”

After six weeks James returned to the saddle.

“I was excited to get back on but I had to take things quite easy. I got back on my four-star horse Rudy Valentino, I’ve had him nearly eight years and trusted he wouldn’t try to put me on the floor!” said James.

“Since then I’ve been concentrating on my fitness and strength but I’m pretty much back to normal. The plan is to get out to showjumping and dressage during winter in preparation for next year’s eventing season.”

James said while it was “upsetting” having two major setbacks, he tried to stay focused by looking to the future.

“It’s tough when you have those difficult days where you’re just sitting there thinking about everything but you just have to think about your end goal, know that you won’t be broken forever hopefully, be patient and carry on,” he said.

Seriously injured rider saved from ‘potential disaster’ thanks air ambulance crew

Becky Murray — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 20:03:20 +0000

A rider who is still recovering from serious injuries sustained in a fall a year ago is raising vital funds for the air ambulance that came to her aid.

In September 2020 Joanne Clough fell from her mare Juno while competing in a showjumping competition at Ardnacashel Equestrian Centre in Comber, Northern Ireland. Joanne was warming up when Juno spooked and began bucking “uncontrollably”. As Joanne fell she hit her head on a brick wall.

“I have no memory of the event and apparently lost consciousness. Having spoken to others, I know the show was stopped and the organisers along with first aiders on site came to my side and called for an ambulance.

“Everyone was really supportive and helpful to ensure myself, Juno, my helper and my seven-year-old daughter Erin were looked after.”

The helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) team, which is provided by charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (NI) in partnership with the North Ireland Ambulance Service, arrived and took Joanne to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast by air ambulance.

Joanne, who had surgery to remove a brain tumour in August 2018, underwent tests for potential brain injuries. She sustained three fractures to her cheek, damaged the iris of her right eye resulting in blurred vision and has suffered short-term memory loss owing to severe concussion.

“The scars and fractures on my face have healed, along with the fatigue, weakness and confusion, but my balance remains something that I am continuing investigations for, as my eyesight remains imperfect,” she said, adding Juno has since had treatment for a sacroiliac joint injury, which is suspected to have caused the mare’s reaction on the day of the fall.

“I am slowly gaining trust and confidence again in the saddle. There are no words to describe the gratitude I feel for the assistance of the air ambulance team that day. Had they not acted so quickly, treated me with such level-headed efficiency and taken me to the hospital so swiftly, I have no idea how I might have ended up.”

Joanne has now launched the Horse Powered Take Off campaign and prize draw competition to raise funds and awareness for Air Ambulance NI. The competition aims to raise £40,000, the amount it costs to fund the air ambulance, equipment and medical team for one week. Tickets for the prize draw cost £10 and prizes include £1,000 cash prize, a hotel stay, an equine solarium, and vouchers for riding lessons and equestrian retailers. The draw will take place on 30 October. Visit: https://dragoncompetitions.com/product/horse-powered-take-off/

“A head injury cannot be underestimated and to have been saved from potential disaster by the medical team in this way, is a miraculous success. Thank you so much to the air ambulance team – they are amazing,” said Joanne.

Grace Williams, Air Ambulance NI area fundraising manager, said the charity is “so inspired” Joanne has made a great recovery.

“Patients are at the centre of everything we do. We are humbled Joanne has decided to support the wonderful work of Air Ambulance NI through her competition and campaign. As a service we rely heavily on charitable donations to keep the medical team in the air, delivering critical care to patients who have suffered trauma throughout Northern Ireland – without this type of support, the team simply couldn’t fly,” she said.

“The past year has been especially challenging for fundraising and we’ve seen a dramatic downturn in our income. We sincerely thank Joanne for her amazing support. Despite the pandemic our HEMS team is as busy as ever, responding to on average two calls daily. Since we launched in July 2017, Air Ambulance NI have been tasked on more than 2,388 occasions.”

New service to help injured event riders: ‘It’s hugely important we have this’

Lucy Elder — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 20:45:56 +0000

New support for event riders struggling with injury or mental health has launched, with plans for the service to be fully operational by 2022.

The British Eventing (BE) Support Trust, born out of the organisation’s charitable foundation, has two main strands. The first is getting the right support to riders in need, and the second is to promote, research and develop initiatives for the overall safety and welfare of riders.

“We want to be there for our riders,” chair of trustees Ian Stark told H&H. “We feel it is about time the sport had its own specific support.”

Ian added that one of the fantastic elements of the eventing community is the way people look out for each other. He explained that there are already “brilliant” charities out there, such as the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund, Riders Minds and the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), stressing that the trust’s aim is to work with these, not compete against them.

The “nitty gritty” details are yet to be finalised, but the hope is that referrals will work both ways – from the BE trust to other charities, and vice versa – to help provide the right support at the right time. How applicants are assessed for eligibility is also in progress, with a panel and paperwork likely to be involved. What is certain is that the service is there to support any BE member, from grassroots to five-star, amateur or professional.

“We expect to be fully up and running by the end of the year. I think it is hugely important that we have this support,” said Ian, encouraging any member who needs help in the meantime to get in touch.

“The past two years have created added pressure on many within eventing, so it is particularly appropriate and pertinent that we are here to help our own through the difficulties of injury and mental health struggles.”

The British Eventing Charitable Foundation first launched in 2015, with its main roles stamped as rider training and education, as well as increasing participation and supporting youth programmes. The trust’s accounts show that at the end of 2018, trustees decided it should shift focus. This marked the end of the foundation delivering training activities for BE and a move towards supporting equine welfare and sport safety.

Money for the newly launched trust is coming from that foundation as well as from direct donations, with plans for future fundraisers, and hopes owners, sponsors and riders will be keen to support it.

Sir Mark Todd, William Fox-Pitt and all three members of this year’s Olympic gold medal-winning team – Laura Collett, Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen – are among those lending their support to the trust.

Laura, who credited the IJF team at Oaksey House for her comeback after her serious fall in 2013, said it is “great news” eventers will have more access to these kinds of facilities, supported by their own sport.

“To win a medal in Tokyo was beyond my wildest dreams and, on a personal note, I know what I had to go through to get it. People keep referring to my accident, especially in the aftermath of the gold medal, but once I was back competing – that was the win for me,” she said.

“The support I received with my recovery meant I was able to close the door on that chapter, start a new journey and focus on the future. I hope The British Eventing Support Trust will enable many more riders to be able to continue doing what they love.”

BE chief executive Helen West, also a trustee of the new initiative, added: “From being there to lend a helping hand and advice when it is needed most, through to driving forward research and development in safety, we hope that the British Eventing Support Trust will enable us to provide the best care for the people in our sport.”

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(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘Doctors said I wouldn’t ride again’: rider who returned to eventing after hip replacements encourages others to do what they love

Becky Murray — Sun, 23 May 2021 12:03:18 +0000

A rider who returned to eventing following two hip replacements hopes to encourage others to continue doing what they love, and has formed a support group for riders recovering from surgery.

Derbyshire-based Becky Mullan-Feroze, 57, had her first hip replacement aged 44, and her second aged 48. Becky suffers with osteoarthritis but said fracturing her hip and pelvis in a rotational fall in 1990 had exacerbated the problem.

“I had to have early replacements and my surgeon said I wouldn’t ride again,” she told H&H.

“I didn’t know anyone that had had replacements so it was a really anxious time and I was looking for information and support but couldn’t find any.”

Before her first operation, Becky changed surgeons and said her new surgeon, James Hutchinson of Derby Royal Hospital, was supportive of her returning to the saddle.

“Dr Hutchinson was fantastic,” she said. “He said they want to get replacements into people who want to keep going and that life is about living. He really encouraged me – he warned there are risks; if you break your prosthesis then it can be quite dramatic, but he said falls are only as likely to break your hip as they were before.

“I returned to riding and competing after 11 weeks. On my first event back at Stafford my stirrup leather snapped going over the first fence and I completed the course with my stirrup in my hand. When I next saw my surgeon I said ‘I don’t need to see you again, I’m fixed!’

“At all my checks and X-rays he said because I’ve been riding I’ve stayed very strong. He’s not advocating riding post hip replacement if you haven’t ridden before, but he’s saying you should be able to carry on doing what you really enjoy.”

Becky underwent surgery for her other hip in 2012 and returned to the saddle seven weeks later.

“It’s been the best thing ever, most of the time I forget I have them,” she said, adding that owing to her osteoarthritis she is waiting to have both her knees replaced.

“I have the same surgeon, and while he said knees are a bit more complicated, I’m less concerned now.”

In 2019 Becky set up Facebook group Riding after replacement & other injuries, which now has 800 members.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Becky Mullan-Feroze)

‘A part of me was taken away’: rider returns to the saddle after major surgery

‘It was amazing to ride again, like that part of me was back. It was just awesome.’

(Image credit: Becky Mullan-Feroze)

Rider returns to the saddle aged 73 after two hip replacements and neck operation

‘I did think ‘that’s it now, I’m in my 70s’; I really didn’t think I’d ride again’

(Image credit: Becky Mullan-Feroze)

“You can feel quite isolated going in for that sort of surgery,” she said. “Since setting up the group I can’t believe how many riders have replacement bits and how many are going forward for them. Globally we have people from all over the world sharing their experiences. And it’s not necessarily about as you get older, we have lots of younger people in the group too.

“It’s about us saying things are possible and it’s not the end of your riding. There’s been some really interesting and informative discussions. It’s extended to people who have had some major injuries and things like spinal surgery.

“I’m not saying everyone should ride, they’ve got to want to, but some of the ideas being shared such as exercises, or tips for first getting back on, or the most supportive stirrups, gives people that encouragement and support that makes you feel able to crack on.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Hunting emergencies: equine and human injuries and dangers and how to deal with them H&H Plus

Stephanie Bateman — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 14:00:40 +0000

As thrilling and exciting as hunting is, it isn’t without its risks and accidents can happen. Stephanie Bateman investigates the most common hunting emergencies

THE unpredictable demands of hunting can unfortunately result in injury to both horse and rider, so knowing the risks and how to deal with situations when they arise will put you in a better position should the worst happen.

Three Counties Equine Hospital vet Andrew Harrison MRCVS outlines the most common horse injuries and how to deal with them.

Horse emergencies

Blackthorns

DFKWWM blackthorn, prunus spinosa (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

JUMPING hedges can result in blackthorns penetrating joints and tendon sheaths.

Action: if you have had a big jumping day, always thoroughly check joints after hunting, particularly the knees, for thorns. Often you can easily pull them out, but if a thorn is stuck in, don’t try to remove it as it might break – the tip then breaks off and remains in the joint (or tendon sheath). Even after removal, if you suspect that the joint has been penetrated, it will need immediate veterinary intervention.

Quite commonly, horses with blackthorns will pull up sound from hunting and load sound thanks to adrenaline, but an hour or two later will be hopping lame. There will be heat and swelling around the joint and the horse will markedly resent joint flexion.

With blackthorn penetrations, time is of the essence as an aggressive septic arthritis develops rapidly, requiring urgent arthroscopic flush and debridement (removal) of any foreign material. Get your vet out immediately or take your horse straight to the vets.

Strike injuries and overreaches

GALLOPING with the rest of the field can run the risk of strike injuries from other horses to your horse’s legs, or of your horse overreaching and striking into himself. There are many structures at the back of the leg that can be affected, including tendons, tendon sheaths and ligaments.

Action: because of the location of most overreach and strike injuries, bleeding can be quite severe, so the first port of call is to stem any bleeding with pressure. Once home, clean the wound and bandage the leg. If the wound is deep and requires stitching, or your horse is showing a significant level of lameness, call your vet – don’t leave it overnight.

Tendon injuries

Ultrasound of suspensory ligament (Image credit: creditUnknown)

GALLOPING and jumping over uneven and holding going can result in damage to the tendons and ligaments that can take months to heal.

Action: ensure your horse is fit enough for hunting with a suitable fitness programme before the season starts. If you suspect your horse has injured a tendon out hunting, keep them as immobile as possible, transport them home immediately and call the vet. Tendon injuries require box rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone (bute) and regular ice therapy. Prevention is better than cure, so don’t gallop through really deep ground and be wary of jumping out of heavy ground.

Flesh wounds

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

PASSING through gates or by trees at speed or getting kicked by another horse can result in flesh wounds.

Action: some wounds may bleed and look bad, but be of no serious concern and may just require cleaning and bandaging or possibly a stitch or two by a vet. It’s the small, seemingly innocuous wounds close to joints and tendon sheaths that cause the biggest problems. If you are concerned, call your vet.

For wounds that are bleeding profusely, the key is stemming the flow. Remove your stock or tie and wrap it just above the bleeding to help stem the flow. Keep layering up with the bandaging and eventually it will stop. Always seek veterinary advice if your horse has lost a lot of blood or you can’t stop the bleeding. It’s also worth checking that your horse’s tetanus vaccination is up to date.

Some kick injuries aren’t obvious, particularly if they affect the bone where there is little or no covering tissue. If your horse is very lame, he may require an X-ray to rule out a fracture.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Getting stuck

IT’S not uncommon to hear of horses getting stuck while out hunting, such as when jumping hanging gates but not quite making it all the way over, or falling into a ditch after jumping a hedge with a ditch behind, or when riding through a deep bog.

Action: working safely around horses that are recumbent or entrapped is very important. Avoid the “kick zone” or “head-butting zone” – never approach a horse from the leg side if they are lying on their side; approach from the spine side.

If a horse is properly trapped, they tend not to struggle, but once they sense a bit of freedom they are likely to scramble to escape, so keep out of the way at that point. People are keen to get stuck in to such situations but it can be very dangerous. It’s better to wait for the emergency services, who are trained and have the equipment to deal with trapped horses. They will request the attendance of a vet to sedate the horse to protect themselves and their staff.

First-aid essentials

As part of your first-aid bag, consider including a major bleed control kit, which includes a tourniquet plus advanced ChitoGauze packing and bandages. In partnership with the Daniel Baird Foundation, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity offers bleed control kits. Visit midlandsairambulance.com for contact details.

Travelling home

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

For horses with injuries on the hunting field, borrow a trailer or request a horse ambulance to get them home. The shallower ramp angle to that of a horsebox can help get them loaded more easily and they will have more support when travelling.

Rider emergencies

EQUESTRIAN-related incidents are sadly among the top four reasons the advanced clinical teams on board Midlands Air Ambulance Charity helicopters are called out. This is either because of the remote location of the incident or because of the traumatic nature of their injuries. It is imperative that those with the patient provide support before the pre-hospital emergency specialists even arrive on the scene.

Dr Katie White is a pre-hospital emergency medicine specialist and flight doctor with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. She provides some tips for assisting at an incident.

Fractures of the forearm

WRIST fractures are common following falls from horses. A person is likely to have a fracture if the area is tender, swelling or deformed in any way.

Action: if a fracture is suspected, support the affected arm with a sling or improvise to make a splint to help keep the arm still until you can get it X-rayed. Remove any jewellery from the affected side as the fingers and hand may swell up. Consider paracetamol as a painkiller and note when any medication was given. An ice pack may help.

Occasionally bones are badly broken – the arm may look to be obviously deformed, there may be bone sticking out and the injured person may complain of numbness or tingling, which could indicate serious injury. In this case, seek medical advice immediately and do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink as they may require an operation.

Concussion

THIS can result from being kicked by a horse or from a fall. Riding hats are important in helping to prevent head injuries, but they can still occur.

Action: concussion is an injury to the brain that results in impairment of its function. Loss of consciousness doesn’t occur in the majority of concussions.

Riders with concussion may appear dazed, may be slow to get up, show signs of poor balance or coordination and may be confused. Some of the symptoms they may complain of include headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. All concussions should be considered serious and medical advice should be sought.

Open wounds

AN open wound can result from contact with barbed wire or branches while jumping or following falls.

Action: remove debris from the wound, then wash it with clean water and pat dry with a clean towel if available before covering it. Seek medical advice if the wound is large and might need stitches or gluing. Also, check the person’s tetanus vaccination is up to date as otherwise further treatment such as antibiotics may be required to prevent infection.

In the following days, signs the wound is becoming infected include feeling feverish and unwell, and redness, swelling, worsening pain and pus from the wound. If this occurs, you should seek medical attention urgently.

Major bleeding

BLEEDING can be common from small wounds, however, occasionally major blood loss can occur. This can be life-threatening as a person can bleed out within minutes if a major artery is punctured, so get immediate help.

Action: expose the wound so you can see the injury. If it is a bleed from the torso, use a clean cloth and put pressure on it. If it is a limb injury, use a tourniquet or alternative such as a belt or stock to help stem the bleeding, fixing the tourniquet tightly above the bleed. You then need to pack the wound with clean cloth before bandaging the packing into place.

Calling for help

If you or someone you are with needs medical attention and you require an ambulance, first call 999.

Tell the ambulance service where you are using the What3words app location, as this makes it much easier for them to locate you quickly. The ambulance service will decide if the patient needs the rapid response and advanced care of air ambulance crews.

If the air ambulance is on its way, ensure horses are cleared away from the area so they do not get spooked by the loud noise and downdraft of the helicopter landing. It is also important people keep clear of the area, and must not approach the helicopter while the rotors are still running.

While waiting for help, reassure the patient that help is on its way, keep them talking and keep them warm. Being cold can cause shivering, which can increase pain from broken bones due to muscle movement. Also, hypothermia decreases the blood’s ability to clot, which can result in worsening haemorrhage in trauma patients.

To find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the service on social media.

This feature is also available to read in this Thursday’s H&H magazine (22 April, 2021)

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Round-the-clock care for filly rescued with horrific barbed wire injuries

Becky Murray — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 18:02:23 +0000

A youngster found so severely injured that her tendons were exposed has been receiving round-the-clock care to give her the best chance of survival.

The RSPCA was notified by a passer-by about the one-year-old filly, named Georgie by the charity, discovered tangled in barbed wire and bleeding from her leg in a field in Redhill, Surrey, on 2 November.

A charity spokesman said RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby attended the location and was shocked by the filly’s injury.

**Warning: graphic image**

“Georgie’s injuries are very severe,” said RSPCA senior equine vet Roxane Kirton.

“Her leg was extremely swollen and the lacerations from the barbed wire were dirty, infected, and had cut her so deep that her tissue and tendons were exposed. Despite this, she was challenging to catch, but once the team put a headcollar on her she settled.”

Ms Kirton said Georgie was found “just in time”.

“Andrew called the veterinary team at Lingfield Equine Vets who rushed to the field to treat Georgie,” she said.

“Since then they have been working round the clock to treat the infection and she’s definitely not out of the woods yet, but she is improving every day which is a huge relief to us all.”

Article continued below…

(Image credit: RSPCA)

‘Terrified’ colt rescued from muddy ditch by RSPCA and firefighters

“We couldn’t have done it without them and are always so grateful for their support in rescuing animals whenever they

(Image credit: RSPCA)

New start for Shetland pony found with hooves resembling ‘Aladdin’s slippers’

The eight-year-old gelding, found to be suffering from laminitis, was rescued in February

(Image credit: RSPCA)

The spokesman added that an owner has not come forward to claim Georgie and the charity believes she was abandoned before she was injured.

“Once Georgie is well enough to leave the veterinary hospital she will be cared for at a private boarding stables to continue her rehabilitation, and in time the equine team will find her a loving new home,” he said.

“As a charity we rely on generous donations from animal lovers, and we are so humbled to have been able to cover the cost of Georgie’s ongoing treatment thanks to our loyal supporters. Georgie’s story is a true example of how we really can only do the work we do thanks to the generosity of the public and our donors.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

7 injuries only a true horse person would understand

Sara Walker — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 11:24:32 +0000

If you’re not sporting at least two of these horse-related injuries at any one time, you’re simply not trying hard enough, explains Sara Walker.

1. Bruised foot/missing toenail. OK, so you know you should really have changed into suitable shoes before bringing in, but you didn’t. Turns out he was quite keen to get to that bucket of feed. Note to self: always wear sensible shoes, no matter what.

2. Broken/missing fingernail. Having horses and decent fingernails is mutually exclusive. Time to pick which you want.

3. Sore, red rash (the result of stacking bales of hay while wearing shorts), which makes people eye you sideways and shuffle away when you’re on the bus.

4. Blisters on both ring fingers. So it was hot. So you thought you’d ride without your gloves. You never realised before just how abrasive ‘supergrip’ reins are, especially with a little horse sweat thrown in for good measure. Never mind, you’re fairly confident it’ll stop stinging soon and you’ll probably even be able to get your rings back on at some point.

5. Red, weepy eyes. You’re running your hand down that hind leg, you’re raising the foot to pick it out… and bam. The tail swish. People who don’t have horses will never understand just how much getting hit in the face with a big, swishy bunch of horsehair hurts. You eventually risk a quick glance in the mirror and are quite surprised your eyebrows are still attached.

Article continues below…

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(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Tan lines and terrifying hat hair – 7 problems horsey folk face during the summer

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

6. Itchy rash (the result of little bits of hair getting inside your clothes when you’ve been clipping). However much you dance frantically around the yard (step, step, shake trouser legs, left arm up, right arm up, shimmy), those little blighters aren’t moving for anything less than a shower.

7. Sore inner thighs. Well, we hardly need to explain this one, do we? Whether you’ve got a new instructor who makes you ride without stirrups, you got lost and turned your two-hour ride into a four-hour ride or when you ride a turn on the forehand your horse is as light and manoeuvrable as a Sherman tank, sometimes there simply aren’t enough hot baths, paracetamol and arnica to go round.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Claire Drey-Brown’s we need to talk blog: listen to your doctor, and don’t play the hero

Horse & Hound — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:55:24 +0000

I feel like, as equestrians, we have all fought for so long to have our horses seen as athletes. Moreover, we have moved on to fighting for the non-horsey community to see us as athletes. This really has been a struggle, and I think every equestrian has had the ‘you just sit there’ comment thrown at them at least once! I think a lot of riders really have started to make an effort with their fitness and strength since the question about whether some are too heavy for their horses too.

So someone PLEASE tell me why on Earth riders are rushing their recoveries when they get injured?! I see at least a post a day on my Facebook feed of ‘I’ve broken this that and the other, doctor says X amount of weeks. How long do I REALLY have to take off?’

We must all see these posts, as they really do flood all Facebook horse forums. We’ve all been there. We’ve all hurt ourselves, been to the doctors/A&E, been diagnosed and given a recovery plan, and then ignored all of the above and ridden the next day. You may be chuckling at this familiar scenario, but I am about to put it all into perspective so stop those chuckles!

Imagine your horse came in from the field a bit lame. You call the vet straight away for extensive testing and once given the diagnosis, you STRICTLY stick to the rehab plan. You would (hopefully) never dream of ignoring the vet’s advice and rushing your horse back into work. Imagine the abuse and threats you would receive if you posted the same post I described earlier, but about your horse, and not about you as a rider. If we are fighting so hard to make people think of us as athletes, why the hell are we not treating ourselves as such? Why aren’t we treating out own bodies with the same respect as we do our horses’?

I have learnt the hard way to treat my body with respect. This may sound very strange to a non-equestrian (and even weirder out of context!), but my New Year’s resolution was genuinely ‘to treat myself more like a horse’. Sounds weird, right? Told you! By this, I mean to treat my body as well as I would treat my horse’s body. I am going to give my own injuries as much serious consideration as I do my horses’. I am not going to shove myself back on a horse as quickly as possible following an injury, I am going to get back onboard when I am fully healed. Yeah, I know, we are equestrians, we are tough. Equestrians control a 500kg+ animal using a few fingers and their thighs — you don’t need to prove that you are tough!

Everyone understands that when you, as a rider, gets injured, they of course want to get back to their passion as quickly as they can (your horse probably does too when he is injured). But, do you just let your eventer go for a gallop with a tendon injury? No, that would be stupid!

Pretend that it is the horse that has the injury in question. If you rush your horse back into work, there are a number of things that can go wrong. Firstly, there is a huge risk of making the injury worse. Even if you decide to just go for a 10 minute walking hack, that is still putting extra strain on an injury. Once a horse has an injury, he will most likely compensate. By this, I mean that if one front leg hurts, he will put more weight onto the other front leg, for example. This can open up a whole can of worms and make the horse sore in different places throughout his body.

If you were to give your horse time off, but not wean the horse back into work slowly, and instead just get right back to it, you put the horse at serious risk of re-injury and sprains/strains. This is because the muscles will be weaker after having a break. For instance, if a horse had two weeks off, you should bring them back into work slowly, starting with a quick stretch lunge or a gentle, short hack for the first couple of days. The opposite would be to do a full on schooling/jumping session on day one.

These all sound like very obvious no-nos. But, realistically, most people reading this (including myself) have kept riding when injured ignoring the possibility of compensation, and probably wouldn’t bother to give themselves a couple of easy weeks to build back up to full work.

We may excuse ourselves by saying ‘oh but I am doing it for my horse, so he doesn’t lose fitness. He doesn’t like time off.’ In reality, you are not helping your horse out by soldiering on, at all. If we compensate and twist in the body or put more weight in one stirrup and so on, we can cause discomfort in our horse, and also create some nasty schooling habits in both horse and rider.

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If you are not able to ride to your full potential, you may not ride as well as you normally can (due to pain, lack of balance, compensation etc). If you therefore cant ride as strongly as usual, you may even cause a knock in your horse’s confidence. This can also look pretty bad on paper too — you may cause a couple of blips on an otherwise faultless record, for example.

Because of these issues, you may need to put in a few weeks really working on the position of not only yourself, but your horse too after weeks of riding wonkily. You may also need to spend weeks revisiting the basics to rebuild any lost confidence. Furthermore, if you didn’t allow your injury time to heal, you may soldier on for a few weeks before realising it is no better, and then having no choice but to have the time off. Except now, it will be longer than the original rehab plan, because you have spent weeks damaging it further.

In conclusion, listen to your doctor, and don’t play the hero! Join me in my New Year’s resolution and treat yourself as though you are a horse too.

Claire

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

‘I shouldn’t have rushed back as quickly as I did’: riders and experts share advice on how to return from injury

Rhea Freeman — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 15:24:01 +0000

Getting back in the saddle after injury can be tough. And getting back to competition after injury can be even tougher. But it’s not just the physical side of things that you need to take into account. It’s the mental side of things and injuries that can’t be ‘fixed’ in a set time frame to consider. H&H caught up with two event riders who have sustained high profile injuries, a mental skills coach, and a soft tissue therapy and performance specialist for their top tips on making a comeback post injury.

Laura Collett (pictured) sustained a very serious injury in 2013, which resulted in her being in hospital for a week in a coma. She left hospital six days later and got back on a horse the day she left hospital.

“I got back on but just to walk around. I sat on a horse each day slowly doing more and more, and I was back jumping four weeks after. I planned my first event back on the earliest possible date of being signed back on which was six weeks and six days after the fall.”

It’s fair to say that Laura isn’t typical, and the type of injury and associated physical damage in addition to other issues can have a huge impact on when someone rides again, in any capacity.

Jonty Evans is another rider who had a very well documented fall, and very serious injuries. In fact the fall happened just over a year ago at Tattersalls in Ireland. Jonty fell on 3 June 2018 and was in a coma for six weeks following the fall. He rode again in December.

“When I came out of the coma, I wanted to get back onto the next horse (at the event). Someone had to explain to me that that wasn’t possible and what had happened.

“I found rehab incredibly frustrating,” admits Jonty. “Some things were so hard to do and I couldn’t see why — I hadn’t broken an arm or a leg but that didn’t matter.”

Rehabilitation is, of course, a key phase in recovery from injury, both mentally and physically. Laura spent some time at Oaksey House and continued to work with the team after she left.

“Oaksey were incredible — they made it possible for me to achieve things that normal doctors and physios wouldn’t have. I did a lot of strength and conditioning work in the gym around the injuries I had and had massages every day. After I left Oaksey, I continued to work with them when I lived in Lambourn. Through the World Class Programme, I now work with the HSSM team to help maintain my fitness and strength.”

Dee Holdsworth and Ben So’oialo-Chan specialise in elite rider and equine soft tissue therapy, strength and conditioning. They work with a number of riders to help maintain fitness. They also work with riders returning from injury.

“The first thing, before you undertake any kind of fitness work, is to consult a healthcare professional, especially after injury,” say Dee and Ben. The exact exercises will obviously vary from injury to injury, but most, if not all, riders can benefit from core work as well as exercises to improve coordination and reaction times.”

Jonty agrees, he does Pilates regularly and has found this really beneficial too.

It’s not just the physical side of things that we need to consider when it comes to getting back on after an injury. Some riders don’t have any anxiety or worries connected to riding as a result of any accident, but some do, as Jane Pike, an equestrian mindset coach explains.

“If we were to look at the recovery process purely from the perspective of how it affects us psychologically, the incident itself is not usually as problematic as the stories that we attach to it,” says Jane. “Memory is not reflective of the reality of experience but rather our perception of the experience and the meaning that we attach to it. Consequently, our ability to view what happened within an empowering context is crucial to being able to process the event and place it within a context that allows us build resilience and move forward with a sense of positive possibility.”

“I didn’t and don’t get nervous as such,” says Jonty. “I wasn’t worried about falling off, but I was worried about making a mistake. I was concerned about doing something wrong and sending mixed messages to the horse. I’ve always had this concern but it did get worse (after the accident). It’s a pressure I put on myself.”

Not all injuries are simply ‘fixed’, and head injuries demonstrate this well. In some cases, people make a complete recovery, but for others the journey isn’t so straightforward and there are many unknowns.

“My biggest tip,” says Jonty, “would be to focus on your strength as it makes so much difference. I’d also say don’t try and run before you can walk, and seek the very best help you can in all areas; it will make a huge difference.”

Laura shares her experience too, giving a tip she’s learnt from the beauty of hindsight.

“One thing I did learn from coming back from my injury is that I shouldn’t have rushed back as quickly as I did,” admits Laura. “I got lucky, but looking back I definitely wasn’t 100% when I started competing but was convinced I was at the time! It wasn’t until about a month after that I suddenly realised I was only just 100% then.”

From the confidence side of things, Jane has some great tips too.

“It’s important to avoid worry and rumination if you can as the more you think about it, the stronger the memory becomes and it makes it a reference point in your mind when you get back in the saddle. Focus on what you want to happen when you get back on rather than what you want to avoid.

“If our dominant thought is ‘I hope I don’t fall off’, the mind focuses on falling off because it’s been positioned as the point of focus. A thought about hoping you don’t fall off, for example, can be changed into a thought about a calm and balanced ride — deciding what you want to experience and having this as the point of focus in your mind can help.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

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From the physical side of things, Ben shares this tip: “When it comes to riding and competing again, it’s important to stretch before you get on — so many riders don’t do this but it’s actually a really useful way to help support your performance and maintenance. Activating your hips, core and scapula through simple exercises like hip bridges, hollow hold, and scapula activation can really help.”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Comeback kings: can horses get back to competition following injury? H&H asks the experts…

Rhea Freeman — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 11:24:16 +0000

In our sport, horse injuries are far from rare, but perhaps they’re often not the most discussed topic. Regardless of how it was done or what the prognosis is, an injury can be devastating for the team as well as the rider, and the road to recovery is often lengthy and tense for all involved. We caught up with two professional riders, a vet and a therapy centre to get their experience of injuries, recovery, and comebacks.

Hugh Somerville BVSc Cert AVP (ESO) MRCVS from Loch Leven Equine Practice has been part of the veterinary team at Blair Castle International Horse Trials for a number of years. Hugh explains why, in some cases, riders don’t share the nature of a horse’s injury.

“It’s not something that is often discussed at top level,” says Hugh. “But the truth is it happens to everyone — even when a professional rider has a run of really bad injuries it’s rarely to do with bad management, just rotten luck.

“Professionals are under a huge amount of pressure to keep these horses sound for their owners. There is often lots in the media when the recovery goes well and they return to competition but people don’t like to publicly talk about when it goes wrong.”

An injury can be a devastating blow at any time for so many reasons. Obviously the horse being injured is the main concern, but there’s a lot of emotion connection to hopes, dreams and plans that were in place for that horse, as well as worries and concerns for rehabilitation.

“The first few times a horse who’s part of your team gets injured, well, it’s just gutting and knocks everyone back a lot,” says five-star event rider Imogen Murray. “Everyone’s confidence takes a real knock and it’s a very worrying time, especially in that gap between when you suspect something isn’t right and getting the diagnosis.”

Imogen experienced this first hand a number of years ago when a potential junior team horse sustained an injury that ruled him out of competition for a number of months.

Sarah Turner is a dressage rider who made H&H headlines when her ride, Eduardo (pictured below), won the inter I class at Keysoe’s High Profile Show at the end of 2018. The fact that the horse’s owner was told he would never compete above elementary after an injury made it even more special.

“Before I knew Eduardo, he’d sustained a nasty injury in the stable at a show,” explains Sarah. “He’d ruptured a bone cyst and had sustained collateral ligament damage. I met him and his owner when he was in rehab after this, after they’d been told that he’d never compete beyond elementary level again. It was though that the small circles and the increased difficulty in the lateral work were likely to cause issues and he just wouldn’t be up to it.”

Sarah Turner- Eduardo (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow - 00447917336694)

Sarah and her team started slowly and were very careful with the training and rehab keeping the nature of the injuries in mind and exercises that could support this area.

“Once I got him to small tour level and he was training consistently at home, we decided to go for an MRI scan to just confirm that what we were doing wasn’t having a negative impact on the injury — and it wasn’t. This gave me the confidence to keep training and progressing as his body was obviously coping.”

“We see many horses return to competition after successful rehab,” says Kerry-Anne Bourne, equine therapy centre manager at Hartpury. “We sometimes see them coming back even better than before time off. Of course, there are a lot of factors at play such as the nature of the injury, and we also work very closely with farriers, vets, osteopaths and physios to help the horse recover and come back.”

Confidence is a big issue. In addition to the obvious physical impact and injury can have on the horse, the confidence that the rider feels around the horse and particularly how it’ll cope during a competition can have a massive impact, but does grow over time as the horse continues to perform well.

“When a horse that’s been injured comes back into work it can be really nerve-wracking,” says Imogen. “During rehab, we always look for milestones that we can reach and feel a real sense of achievement when we reach these, but even when all these are met, the vet’s happy and all training has gone well, you get nervous. You try and tell yourself you’ve done everything you can and to treat him like a normal horse but you do extra checks and as a rider you ask yourself if he feels OK all the time, even though you’d be unlikely to pick up some minor injury when the horse is full of adrenaline.”

“There are obviously lots of different injuries all with different treatment options but our aim is always to promote healing, minimise scar tissue and importantly give the horse as much time as required to fully recover, using evidence-based medicine,” explains Hugh. “Correct management plays a huge part in recovery and, ultimately, a comeback to competition.”

To help give the horse maximum chance of a full recovery, Hugh sends patients home with a detailed rehabilitation programme, advises regular repeat scans and X-rays during the rehab period, and also checks during the season.

Imogen has found that, in addition to following the vet’s advice, time is a huge factor.

“We’ve found that giving the horse more time off is better in the long run, it’s amazing what time can do. It can feel frustrating and like it’s taking a long time but always focus on when they’re ready and not your plan.”

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Sarah agrees with the above, in fact, a combination of the correct management and time at every stage have been two things that she credits in Eduardo’s recovery: “We’ve been at small tour level for four seasons as, although he’s ready to step up, I want him to be as strong as possible, to help his body. We also make sure his weight is a key factor in his management regime; all horses should have their weight monitored but we don’t let his fluctuate at all.

“If I gave some advice it would be to be realistic when a horse is coming back into work, but then allow yourself to dream a little.”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

H&H racing editor on the road to recovery after fall thanks to Oaksey House

Hannah Lemieux — Fri, 04 May 2018 12:07:42 +0000

Having gone for 28 years without breaking a bone in my body, my time came on a freezing February morning this year while riding out racehorses.

I had previously wondered whether you know straight away when you break a bone and I can now confirm YES you absolutely do know — the pain was excruciating (thank god for morphine).

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

I can also confirm (having now tested it out) that falling from a horse onto sheer ice is not to be recommended and can result in a broken femur (thigh bone) in two places.

After being pinned back together and sporting a pair of crutches, the rehabilitation began and now, over two months later, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

And the main reason for this surge of positivity, is because I have been one of the many fortunate riders, jockeys and sportspeople to benefit from the incredible rehabilitation centre that is the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Oaksey House in Lambourn.

This place is like no other that I’ve come across; you have access to brilliant facilities — now boosted thanks to the addition of a hydrotherapy pool — and a top-class team of physiotherapists and conditioning coaches.

The racing industry and the wider equestrian community are so lucky to have Oaksey House available to them. So much so, even other sports, such as rugby, are sending their athletes for rehabilitation at Oaksey House.

Because I hold a point-to-point jockey license, I had free access to all the treatments/gym sessions and just had to pay a small fee for the accommodation — staying in one of their lovely self-catered flats.

I enjoyed four days of intense rehabilitation at Oaksey House, which included three sessions a day varying from physiotherapy to hydrotherapy and gym sessions. I say “enjoyed” because it was so amazing to get back doing exercise, regain focus and kick start my goal to get back walking without crutches or a limp.

Most of my sessions were in the gym and the hydrotherapy pool with strength and conditioning coach Gavin Egan. I’d say he had his work cut out with me, and he certainly worked me hard. However, if you’d told me on day one that, by the end of the week, I’d be standing on just my broken leg throwing and catching a ball, I would have laughed — he worked miracles.

In the gym

Having effectively been inactive for two months, Gavin firstly explained that my muscles basically needed reactivating — especially my core muscles and my “glutes”. He also wanted to get me off the crutches and get me back walking without a limp.

The loss of strength in my knee was also an issue and contributed to my limp. Gavin introduced a resistance band (placed just above my knees) to stop my knees falling inwards during the lower body strength exercises, such as squats and bridges.

To get my glutes back in action, Gavin had me doing lots of lower body exercises and leg lifting in the gym (pictured, below) which involved contracting (squeezing as hard as I could!) my glutes.

Some of the exercises caused, not pain, but a weird feeling in my leg — a bit like an elastic band being pulled. Gavin explained this was the iliotibial band (IT band) being stretched. The IT band runs from the knee to the hip joint and provides attachment for the glutes and “thigh muscle” for hip abduction, also providing stability to the knee. He added that this was probably cut through during surgery (eurghhh).

I also did a lot of work on the TRX suspension trainer and by the end of the week I was doing step ups on only my broken leg, having started off as wobbly as jelly.

After each gym session, I was hooked up to the Game Ready ice machine, which was pretty cool. It wraps around the leg, while the control unit it’s connected to continuously circulates cold water through the wrap and pneumatically applies compression.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The hydrotherapy pool

This recent addition to Oaksey House is remarkable — a specially heated pool (pictured, below) with not only a treadmill in it, but jets and underwater cameras, so you can analyse the range of movement and for me, in particular, my gait in walking on the screens in front of you.

Going in the hydrotherapy pool meant I could achieve a variety of exercises that I would struggle with out of the water, because the water makes it non-weight bearing and reduces the pressure on my joints and broken leg.

Gavin had me walking both forward, backwards and sideways while also throwing a ball at me (lucky I did a bit of netball at school…) and with weights around my ankles. It took some multitasking to think about two things at once — catching the ball while trying not to come off the end of the moving treadmill.

Among other exercises, I did some squatting, jumping, static swimming against the jet streams and some balance exercises. It was a great feeling to have that range of movement back again and I can’t recommend hydrotherapy highly enough.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Before the hydrotherapy pool was built at Oaksey House, the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill (pictured, below) was the go-to machine for non-weight bearing rehabilitation, it is an awesome piece of kit and still used a lot there.

It’s impressive technology works by reducing the bodyweight. Once zipped in, it fills with air below the waist, effectively lifting you slightly off your feet, and allows you to do exercise with decreased bodyweight. For me, it was so nice to walk without a limp and I was able to focus on my stride pattern.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Physiotherapy

During my stay, I also had physiotherapy from both Emma Edwards and Heidi Preece, which usually started with a soft tissue massage because the muscles in my leg were so tight and there was tightness in my hip and knee joints too.

We also ran through strengthening exercises that involved using a resistance band.

I was also introduced to “electrotherapy” which is when electric energy is used to mimic the nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract — the electrodes taking the place of the nerves that normally cause the muscles to move. The electrode “pads” were put on my leg which was the weirdest sensation, especially when your leg is moving without you doing anything.

The muscles are exercising independently, in turn increasing strength in my leg and improving the healing process, helping the muscles recover faster.

(Left) the electrotherapy and (right) the Game Ready ice machine (Image credit: creditUnknown)

I am due back at Oaksey House at the end of May for further rehabilitation and Gavin has promised he’ll have me running out of the door…

On a final note, I cannot give enough credit to the whole team at Oaksey House, the work they do is brilliant and I found staying there an eye-opening experience — I met people with much worse injuries than mine and it certainly put everything in perspective.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

O’Brien suffers broken vertebrae in serious fall

Lucy Elder — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 17:09:55 +0000

Irish jockey Ana O’Brien’s brain scan is “clear” after a serious fall at Killarney on Tuesday (18 July).

Ana, who is the daughter of multiple Flat champion trainer Aidan, broke her neck and back in the fall.

The 21-year-old was riding Druids Cross, trained by her brother Joseph, when they fell two furlongs from home in the second race of the meeting. The horse sustained fatal injures.

Ana was taken off the course in an ambulance before being airlifted to Cork University Hospital (CUH) by the Irish Coast Guard air ambulance.

Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Turf Club chief medical officer, was among those who attended O’Brien.

He told Press Association Sport that Ana’s brain scan is clear and that she has fractured her C1 and T6 vertabraes and her cheek bones.

“Aidan and AnneMarie (O’Brien) would like to thank the superb work provided to Ana by the Order Of Malta, racecourse doctors, veterinary team and ground staff led by Val O’Connell (clerk of the course),” he added. “Also the Air Medical Crew and the amazing staff at CUH.”

Dr McGoldrick issued a further update on Wednesday (19 July) afternoon.

“She has had her MRI scans and Professor Paul Redmond, the head of department at CUH, has looked at them and confirmed that she does not need surgery,” said McGoldrick.

“They will continue to review her facial injuries.”

He added he expects Ana to be out of action for three to four months.

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There was a stewards enquiry, but as all those involved could not be present the matter was referred to the Turf Club for investigation.

Before switching to racing, Ana represented Ireland at the European Eventing Championships for ponies twice aboard the superstar grey Ice Cool Bailey, winning team gold and silver and an individual bronze.

She rode her first winner aged 16 at Dundalk on Fairylike, who was trained by her father.

Her first winner outside of Ireland came at the opening of Bro Park racecourse in Sweden in June last year, and Ana most recently made international headlines when she became the third woman in history to contest the Derby at Epsom.

Ana is a frequent visitor to the winners enclosure and currently stands second in the Irish apprentice Flat jockeys’ championship with 18 victories so far this season.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Rider invents ground-breaking device to help return from injury

Lucy Elder — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 14:57:11 +0000

A rider who suffered a nasty fall has invented a medically-recognised device to help others in similar situations.

Barbara Thompson, managing director of Angel Med, broke her collarbone in a fall at home in 2008.

“I left outpatients in terrible pain with an inadequate collar and cuff sling, like most people do,” she said.

“I was desperate to ease the excruciating pain and somehow avoid inevitable surgery and I cobbled together a crude prototype.

“It eased the pain and I healed really well and much faster than expected.”

The ClaviBrace design, which was created to relieve pain and help with healing, has been evaluated by shoulder surgeons Professor Angus Wallace and Ian Bayley. It also won a Da Vinci medical breakthrough award in 2010.

Barbara has now worked the design into a gilet, which is also marketed as a posture improver, and is working with eventer Tina Canton on refining it further.

Tina broke her collarbone in four places and was knocked out in a rotational fall in a novice section this season. The horse (not pictured) was not injured.

Her collarbone was operated on and she was later fitted with the gilet (pictured, top).

“I was interested in the support and protection and being able to get back riding,” said Tina, who is back in the saddle.

“I don’t ride without it — it makes me feel secure. I can move in it and it makes me feel very supported.

“[As a rider] Barbara understands how much movement you need when you are riding.”

Tina in competition. (Image credit: Julia Shearwood)

The gilet brace hides key components of the brace which work to elongate a broken collarbone and stabilise the fracture to encourage natural healing.

It stabilises the pelvis, aligns the spine and strengthens the shoulders to give core strength.

Mr Bayley has also worked with Barbara to design an “upper armour”, which works with the gilet to control excessive and potentially damaging movement.

Tina is the first person to wear this and said she wears both “anytime I go near a horse”.

Nottinghamshire-based Tina has competed up to advanced and specialises in producing competition horses and teaching.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Ryan Hatch remains in hospital after breaking neck and back in Cheltenham fall

Lucy Elder — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:10:51 +0000

Jockey Ryan Hatch is expected to remain in hospital for the “foreseeable future” after breaking his neck and back in a racing fall on Friday (9 December).

Ryan suffered a heavy fall with the seven-year-old Cogry in the Grade 3 handicap chase on the first day of the International at Cheltenham and was taken to Bristol Southmead Hospital.

The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) has been providing updates on his condition this week on behalf of Ryan and his family.

“Following his fall at Cheltenham racecourse last Friday, repeat X-rays carried out in Bristol Southmead hospital yesterday have shown that Ryan has suffered fractures of his C6 and C7 at the base of his neck,” said Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the IJF this morning (14 December).

“He has also fractured his sternum and has fractures of his T6, which is just below the shoulder blade. He has a spinal haematoma which is shown to be decreasing.

“It is anticipated that Ryan will remain in Southmead hospital for the foreseeable future.

“Any visitors to the hospital should please contact either Ryan or his father John in advance of visiting.”

He had been booked to ride The New One in the International Hurdle the following day (10 December), but Richard Johnson took over the ride on the eventual winner following Ryan’s injury.

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So far this season the National Hunt jockey, who is attached to Nigel Twiston-Davies’ stable, has ridden 17 winners — 13 over hurdles and four over fences.

In the 2015/2016 he rode 22 winners, with major wins including the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, held at Aintree during the Grand National meeting, aboard Ballyoptic in April, and the Grade 1 RSA Chase at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival with Blaklion.

10 injuries your horse might encounter out hunting — and how to treat them

Agnes Stamp — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 12:05:01 +0000

Any sports horse can get hurt, but the unpredictable demands of the hunting field can result in unforeseen injury to horse, rider or both

Whether you’re hunting for the first time, or a seasoned hedgehopper, it is important to recognise where the dangers lie and how to avoid them, and if bad luck does strike, the best course of action.

Helen Van Tuyll, an equine vet and joint master of the South Dorset has been hunting since she was five-years-old and puts the majority of injuries she sees out hunting down to rider error.

“A high level of rider awareness is required when hunting. Not only must you know your hunt country, but you must also exercise a degree of common sense.”

Laura Andrews, stud groom at the BHWC for the past seven years adds: “After hunting, wash your horse off properly, check him over thoroughly for injury and deal with any accordingly.

“I also do a late check at night for chills, colic and lameness after a horse has been hunting. If you leave him until the following morning and something has gone wrong, you’re then on borrowed time. You can save thousands of pounds in vets bills, and potentially your horse’s life if you just use common sense.

“The best thing you can do is to develop a good relationship with your vet,” she adds.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try to develop an understanding of various injuries. This will help keep you calm in future stressful situations.”

1. Over-reach injuries

A common injury on any hunting field, caused either by the horse clipping its own front heels with its hind legs, or a horse behind getting too close and striking the hind legs of the one in front.

Galloping fast in deep ground also carries its own risks, notes Helen. “A really bad over-reach can strike a tendon above the fetlock.”

Action: Over-reach wounds in the heel are often small, but release a surprising amount of blood. Clean thoroughly, bandage and if you think you’ve struck the tendon or the horse is displaying a high degree of lameness, call the vet.

2. Bruised soles

Concussion injuries in hunters are mainly associated with trotting on stony tracks or over stones hidden in long grass, which is often unavoidable.

Action: Good, regular shoeing is an effective preventative measure against this kind of injury and if you’re out hunting, be sensible — go home if you’ve lost a shoe and be aware of muddy tracks that might hide stones.

If your horse does come home with a bruised foot, poultice and pad the foot, and rest the horse on a deep bed so it isn’t standing on its sole. Again, if your horse is displaying a high degree of lameness, call the vet.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Horse & Hound’s ultimate A-Z of hunting

To celebrate this week’s hunting special of Horse & Hound magazine (26 October 2017), take a look at our A-Z

3. Flint cuts

Seen in areas such as the Chiltern Hills or by hunts such as the Kimblewick, flint is a type of rock that is so sharp, it was once used to make arrow heads in the Stone Age. Look out for flint cuts into the tendon sheath, at the back of the fetlock and cuts on the sole of the hoof.

Action: Laura advises to assess the size of cut (if your finger goes first knuckle deep into the wound, it will need a stitch), clean it and check for lameness. A small cut with a high degree of lameness needs to be looked at immediately, as does a cut of any size with any discharge. Deep cuts will need to be stitched within six hours.

4. Wire cuts

Perhaps you attempted the hunt jump and your horse ran through the wire next to the fence, or you tried jumping a ditch and got caught in a line of wire you didn’t see.

Action: Laura advises to err on the side of caution with wire cuts and call the vet. If the cut is deep, get picked up as close to the accident as you can, to save walking back through mud. “The cleaner you keep the wound, the happier your vet will be and the easier it will be to stitch,” says Helen.

5. Stone-walls

Most likely to be seen in traditional stone-wall country such as Cornwall, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire, dragging a knee or a fetlock over these sharp stones can puncture into the joint.

Action: Clean thoroughly and bandage. If you’ve caught the joint or tendon sheath, you’ll be very lame very quickly and you’ll need to get the lorry home. Helen adds: “It’s not the size of the injury, but the location of the wound that you need to be concerned about — if you’re into the joint then this is going to be a big problem. Call the vet immediately.”

6. Blackthorn

Hunts going over big hedges such as the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale see a lot of blackthorns into joints or tendon sheaths, says Helen. “Most of the time the thorn comes out, but you can’t count on that.”

Action: “If you’ve jumped hedges, and one-to-two hours afterwards your horse is non-weight bearing lame, you’ve probably picked up a thorn in the joint,” says Helen. “He will need to see a vet as soon as possible, ideally that night as it may need to be flushed.”

While you wait for the vet, try and locate where the thorn may have entered, and pull it out if it’s still embedded. Make sure you show the vet exactly where you pulled the thorn out from and mention that you’ve been jumping hedges.

Laura also advises to keep a pair of clippers and tweezers close to hand in the yard. If you’re checking your horse over and you feel a thorn under the skin, clip the area and pull it out with tweezers.

7. Suspensory ligaments

Most likely to be seen in deep clay country, check ligaments, suspensory and suspensory body and suspensory branch injuries are a common hunting injury that take a great deal of time to repair. Helen adds: “Rider awareness must come into play here — for example, don’t try to gallop over really deep ground to catch up and be cautious when jumping out of really heavy ground.”

Action: Prevention is better than cure. A good fittening programme before hunting starts will help look after legs of the horse. Laura gets the majority of fittening work done in the summer.

“First horses come in on 1 July. We do four weeks of walk work, then two weeks of trot work before continuing with mounted hound exercise and if the ground is ok, canter work. You need to make sure the legs are hard before the season starts.”

8. Kicks

Often unavoidable when horses get close on the hunting field, but as a rider it is your job to look out for potential kickers (if they are prone to it they should have a red ribbon in their tail) and do not get too close behind another horse, especially when queuing for a jump or queuing for gates.

Action: Little swelling will appear if the kick has landed on a fleshy part of the body. However, do be aware of kicks to bony areas. If he’s very lame he will need to be x-rayed. Helen adds: “If he’s been caught between the knee and elbow or kicked on the inside of the radius (where there is no flesh, just skin on bone) he may have a hairline fracture.”

9. Flesh wounds

Approaching an open gate too fast can easily result in catching a stifle on a latch or large wounds to the flanks. Partially open gates or gates that are swinging back are just as dangerous.

“Getting caught in gates is completely rider error,” says Helen. “Everything you should have learnt in Pony Club about walking through gates should apply as an adult. Even if you’re approaching a gate at a flat out gallop, always pull up, ride through the gate at a walk and check the person behind you before moving on.”

Action: “People often get very excited about big wounds, but ultimately they’re ok,” says Helen. “It’s the small pinprick wounds in awkward places over the top of joints and tendon sheaths that cause the biggest problem.”

If you have been unlucky (or stupid) enough to get caught in an open gate, travel the horse home or to the nearest veterinary clinic as quickly as possible for stitching.

10. Putting a foot down a hole

A foot down a rabbit or badger hole can result in very nasty injuries for both horse and rider. Depending on what speed you’re going at catching a limb in a hole can result in a sprained joint, pulled ligament or tendon or worse case scenario, a broken leg.

On a similar vein, be careful when riding over bridges, warns Helen. “I recently had to anaesthetise a horse so it could be lifted out of a broken bridge by a front end loader.”

Action: If you see a hole, make sure you warn others about it – this is good hunting etiquette anyway – and don’t ride over partially broken bridges, there is always another route. Also look out for recently ploughed field where the holes might be lightly covered.

If your horse has sprained a joint or pulled ligament or tendon it will need regular cold hosing, icing and box rest. Speak to your vet about getting it scanned.

Ex-racehorse that fell off bridge makes successful return to the show ring

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 12:55:02 +0000

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

An ex-racehorse that “cheated death” after falling off a bridge has made a successful return to his showing career.

Golden Feather, a 13-year-old gelding, was being hacked out by owner Lisa Kozak near Lambourn on 17 July when the accident happened.

“We lost our way so we decided to take another route back,” Lisa told H&H. “We came to a bridge, but he’s never had an issue with them before. However, something panicked him and he ended up with his legs over the side.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I had to get into the river to try and push him back up, but then things went from bad to worse and he fell the other side.”

Lisa called the vet and waited for friends to arrive, as the emergency services weren’t able to reach them in the remote location they were in.

“Vet Paul Ferguson was the first person to arrive. We then had the local farmer come and help us. We had to dismantle part of the bridge to drag him out. I owe everyone so much,” she added.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The accident happened at around 5.15pm, and they didn’t make it back to lambourn until 9.30am.

“I’m so surprised that it happened, normally he’s a proper ‘dope on a rope’ and as calm as anything,” he said.

Golden Feather then spent six days at the vets, suffering liver and kidney damage as well as secondary laminitis.

“He arrived in the practice in severe shock, with a heart rate of 120bpm (normal 40bpm) respiratory rate of 60bpm (normal 8-16bpm) and an extremely high temperature of 42 (normal 37.5-38). He was sweating profusely and in a severe state of distress on arrival,” said a spokesman for Valley Equine Hospital.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“He was treated for shock and dehydration.

“The next step was to get his dangerously high temperature and as Feather was still in quite an anxious state we had to sedated him to allow further treatment.

“Over the next 45min with the assitance of several people, litres of cold water were poured over him continuosly until his temperature returned to normal.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Feather defied all the odds and was discharged six days after admission.”

He has since made a full recovery, though does have scarring on his back legs, and finished second in the Retraining of Racehorses class at the Royal Berkshire Show last month — which he won last year.

“Everyone has been amazing, I can’t believe he recovered so well in 10 weeks,” added Lisa. “He loves showing, he really shows himself off.”

The horse was in training with John Gosden as a two-year-old before being trained by Venetia Williams, Evan Williams and George Baker.

Horse has massive stake removed from chest warning: graphic images

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 09:30:07 +0000

A cob in Staffordshire has had a lucky escape after impaling himself on a fence.

Debbie McLoughlin’s nine-year-old gelding Ronaldo was found on 9 June in the field with the rail from a post and rail fence sticking out of his chest.

“I checked him at 3pm and he was fine. Then at 5pm he was just wandering around the paddock with the stake in his chest,” Debbie told H&H.

“He must have been going at a considerable pace to have it wedged so deeply. I imagine he was gallivanting around in the field with the others.”

Robin Densem of Agnew Vets, who treated Ronaldo, told H&H the horse was “extremely lucky”.

“It’s not often that a stake injury to the chest is not catastrophic,” he said.

Robin added that it seems Ronaldo ran into the blunt end of the rail.

“He must have hit it with some force to go through his skin and muscle,” he said.

“The rail had moved down under his armpit — it must have been in nearly 3ft deep. You could see it just behind the level of his elbow.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The vets worked to stabilise the horse and gave Ronaldo a low dose sedative.

They assessed the amount of blood lost, which was a “reasonable amount but not life threatening”, and checked what the stake might have avoided in the body when going in.

“There are some big blood vessels and nerves in that area,” added Robin.

“We then had to pull it out, which was a bit of a heart in the mouth moment. We fitted him with a catheter in case the stake was blocking a lot of blood and there was the concern he could haemorrhage.

Fortunately for Ronaldo the process was quite simple and the vets pulled the stake out “fairly easily”.

“This is an unusual case as usually injuries like this are fatal. I’ve seen a few where the horse rears onto the stake and it goes through their armpit as well.

“Horses do a very good job of damaging themselves.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Debbie added that it was “bit tense at the time the vets removed it” but the post came out fine, “like a knife through butter”.

Three weeks later, the horse is back to his usual self.

“He’s on box rest now and we’re nursing him back to health. It’s a miracle he is fine — he so lucky it missed the artery and nerves. It’s amazing really,” she said.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Three-star event horse put down following Bramham injury

Lucy Elder — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:55:28 +0000

A four-star event rider has paid tribute to her advanced horse who was put down last week.

Nana Dalton’s three-star horse Uwald, known as Ollie, was put down last Tuesday (16 June) following an injury sustained at Bramham earlier this month (10-14 June).

The bay gelding, owned by Sheila Barker, was produced by Nana’s sister Tricia Price from pre-novice to CCI2* level.

Nana, who is based in Haslemere, Surrey, took on the ride in 2011.

Nana described Ollie as an “incredibly kind and laid back horse, with a lovely character”.

The 16.1h gelding, by Orame and out of Omy Wald, racked up a total of 69 British Eventing points and competed at numerous three-day events with Nana.

The combination’s highlights included fifth place in the CCI* at Hartpury in 2011 and 11th in the CIC3* at Hopeton in 2012, as well as several placings at one day events.

Ollie was known for demanding cuddles and would pop over five-bar gates when turned out in the field.

He hunted with Tricia, who led ponies from him at a childrens’ meet two days before he contested the CCI2* at Osberton several years ago.

“He was patient and good humoured about trying to help my husband [Adam] master the art of rising trot,” she added.

“Even when we were bent double laughing, he had his ears pricked and never lost a beat in his trot rhythm.”

However, he did have problems with injuries.

He recovered from a serious stifle injury following a fall with Tricia before going on to compete at top-level competition and also injured a tendon in the field in 2013.

With Nana he competed in the CCI3* at Bramham, where he jumped a clear cross-country. No further details of his injury are known.

“He leaves a massive hole in the yard and in our hearts but [I] will always be thankful for the times we had together,” said Nana.

The event rider paid tribute to the vets at the Yorkshire event, who she described as “excellent”, and bandaged Ollie’s leg up so he could travel home.

Why blackthorns act like poisoned arrows in horses’ legs

Karen Coumbe — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:55:52 +0000

Blackthorns are the bane of many hunters, because of the vicious thorns that act almost like poisoned arrows.

These nasty thorns can penetrate the soft tissues taking all sorts of bacteria in with them to cause potentially catastrophic infections. Location is key for blackthorn punctures — even though they are tiny, it is where they end up that causes problems.

There are multiple joints, tendon sheaths and bursae in every horse’s limb, which are relatively superficial, beneath the skin, so they are alarmingly vulnerable.

All these vital structures are closed pouches of synovial fluid, which are designed to lubricate the horse’s joints every time his limbs move. This normally works well until an injury allows a blackthorn or any other foreign body to penetrate a synovial cavity.

Any such puncture wound allows bacteria to invade and produce a potentially very serious infection. This produces obvious pain and lameness because of the inflammatory reaction, which causes swelling within the synovial cavity. This can cause career-ending damage to surrounding tissues, such as joint cartilage or surrounding tendons.

Effective management of these injuries requires prompt recognition of the condition and appropriate treatment right away. If a horse has a blackthorn inside a joint, then the best treatment is keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) to look inside the damaged area, then flush and remove debris and infection from the joint.

Best chance of success

The University of Liverpool vet school has recently published a review of more than 200 horses treated in this way, to identify the factors that may be associated with survival.

To confirm that a joint or similar is affected, a vet will collect a fluid sample, commonly called a joint tap. The research showed that when this had higher levels of total protein — meaning it was more inflamed — this was a bad sign. Similarly, the presence of moderate to severe inflammation at surgery was also not good, especially as such cases are likely to require multiple surgeries.

An interesting finding was the increased likelihood of survival where an obvious wound was present. This may be related to the injury being noticed sooner, but also because an open joint wound may allow drainage of inflammatory fluid, thus reducing detrimental joint swelling and build-up of damaging inflammatory mediators.

Surprisingly there was no significant link between time from initial injury to treatment, the level of white blood cells (pus) measured or the presence of bacteria cultured in the sample.

It was found that when anaesthesia was induced out of normal working hours, it was not advantageous to horse outcome. Instead it seems that there are benefits to stabilising the patient prior to anaesthesia and not going for immediate emergency surgery.

The good news is that overall survival rates were good.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 22 January 2015

Suzanna Hext’s road to recovery: Para graded, back to work and more rehab

Suzanna Hext — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:55:01 +0000

A new chapter has begun that I have been dreaming of for what seems like forever. I have a smile permanently plastered across my face and I have to keep pinching myself. Work is in full swing, my riding is going extremely well, and so is my rehabilitation, plus I have a social life!

I swear I probably even go to sleep with a little grin on my face. Everything seems slightly surreal and I never want this feeling to end after a tough couple of years.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

I’ve been getting some uneasy looks from people watching me tackle new obstacles, especially in Tesco’s, where the balancing of the basket on the end of one crutch has become finely tuned (I think). This might be slightly debatable though as the amount of times I’ve been asked if I need a hand, you would think I was looking as if I was about to drop everything on the floor.

The Tesco’s team have got the filling of the two bags down to a fine art so that I can balance one on the end of each crutch to get out to the car.

It’s a shame that the same can’t be said for me mastering the stairs on crutches after Tiggy’s (head girl to Lucy Wiegersma) 30th Birthday – let’s just say it was lucky that Jade and Lizzie (stood to catch me) were there.

Next time, when faced with such circumstances, I’m going to take to going up the stairs on my bottom!

On the Friday before I left to move back up to work we had a celebratory family meal at the Tresanton, a nearby hotel and restaurant. I think Mum and Dad were breathing a sigh of relief, as they have now got the house back to themselves again and a bit of peace and quiet.

Back at work

I think this was a day a lot of people thought would never happen, after so many setbacks, but I am finally back working at B&W Equine Vets (Breadstone Practice).

It is such a great feeling to have a routine back and to be working and doing something I love. The practice has such a great team, many of whom were there a couple of years ago before my accident. I am really enjoying using my brain and learning a new aspect of nursing. Cassie Wood is teaching me the ropes in pharmacy, and there is a lot to learn (pictured top).

I am doing a phased return to work and remarkably, I’m not feeling too tired after my first two weeks. I think going to Oaksey House prepared me quite well for this, as I was on the go all day doing rehab whilst I was there, plus practicing my cooking skills. My notorious cooking is still consisting of a lot of pasta dishes – I am hoping my housemate Georgie will help me expand my repertoire.

Exciting times ahead – I’ve been graded…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

I have officially got my RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Grading, which came out as a Grade II. This means I can get out and compete, if I can beg, borrow or steal a horse to do some competitions on! I am still looking for a para horse on loan, as my finances won’t allow me to buy one at this stage. Please keep the feelers out there…

Since I have moved up to Gloucestershire, I’ve had two incredible lessons with Pammy Hutton. I can’t describe the feeling of not only being in the saddle, but also being back at Talland having lessons again. Pammy has taught me since I was 12-years-old, so she knows me inside out.

Pammy and Charlie (Pammy’s son) made me one very happy girl on Tuesday, as I was allowed to ride international dressage horse Abira (pictured left) in my lesson. Wow, now that was an amazing feeling! The previous week I rode a horse called Tommy, who was also very smart and had been there and got the T-shirt.

I mastered flying changes with both horses and I felt what it’s like to sit on a very smart dressage horse. They are definitely slightly different from the event horses I have been used to.

I have always had the bug for eventing, galloping and jumping (which I still do), but I am getting seriously ‘caught’ by the dressage bug. The horses I have been riding move and feel like they are dancing.

Rehabilitation – Oaksey and Cadbury House Gym

My physio and fitness are continuing to progress. I go to Oaksey House every Monday for a couple of neuro physio sessions with Cat Henson, and an FES bike session and massage with Rob Treviss.

We are still working a lot on gaining control over the spasms and trying to get as much weight through my left leg as possible. We’ve been doing some more work using the incredible ‘bionic leg’, which I have found extremely beneficial and also I have been practicing walking with someone either side of me, holding my arms. This is really hard as you can’t put as much weight through their hands as I do with the crutches, but this is the idea.

The FES sessions (or electrocution sessions!) with Rob have been progressing and I am building up the amount of time and distance I am covering on the bike.

I have completely landed on my feet at a gym/swimming pool (The Cadbury House) just down the road from where I am living. There is a great atmosphere, and there was no judgement or worries about my disabilities when I signed up to a membership package. I got a great feeling from the day I walked in.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

I swim most days and I feel that really helps with the spasms, and it is something I can do for my fitness without being hindered by my left leg in a massive way. I think everyone thinks I am completely bonkers when I go to get in the pool off my crutches, with my leg in spasm. They soon realise that I am more than capable in the pool, and I even swim in the lanes.

I was a bit apprehensive at first about going into another gym, without the help or guidance that I had at Oaksey. However, I have been very lucky to have help from Sam Iles, who works at Cadbury. He has set me up with a programme, shown me how to use the various pieces of equipment and even had me on the treadmill, as I was doing at Oaksey.

The aim is to keep improving my overall body strength – this will all pay dividends for my riding and progressing my rehab.

Team chase day out – a faller…

A day out at the Cotsworld Hunt Team Chase as supporter/team mascot/Chef d’equipe, could have been classed as rehab, in that I had to walk miles from the lorry park to the course and where everything was going on in the marquees.

The B&W Bandits team (pictured below) which consisted of Jade, Carys, Cassie and Julia, had a great ride round with a couple of relatively inexperienced horses, doing their first team chase. They all flew.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Unfortunately for me I was the only faller of the day. As my leg had given up by the sixth time of going back and forwards to the lorry park I got a piggy back from Jade (above). This was all going smoothly until I wanted to dismount and my leg went into spasm and stayed on Jade’s side and brought her down on top of me.

There were a few concerned looks around me, but as I was just laughing a passer-by said to us: ‘A bit more water with your next drink!’ I actually hadn’t drunk a drop. Having not a lot of feeling in my left leg, and nothing in my foot was a blessing in disguise at this point – every cloud etc.

I think I am now official team mascot. Or perhaps just entertainment value!

Suze

Police tracing motorcyclist who left rider with serious injuries

Sophia Heath — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 13:30:15 +0000

A woman has been left seriously injured after a motorbike spooked her horse on a bridleway in Sunderland last week (30 September).

The accident happened on an old railway line near Coxhoe Green in Houghton. The lady — who has been named locally as 40-year-old Gail Mawhinney — was taken to hospital with severe internal injuries.

Police are now trying to trace the bike rider who reportedly did not stop after the incident.

“Police are keen to speak to the motorcyclist who was riding the blue and white off-road style motorbike,” said a spokesman.

“He is believed to have been wearing a white helmet.”

A farmer — who employs Ms Mawhinney — has spoken out to local press warning that “next time someone could be killed”.

“We need to discourage other people from doing what has happened here,” Mr Broadwith said.

“It’s bad enough that some bikers are tormenting people by riding about at speeds of 50 or 60mph, but this person did not slow down and then sped off after it happened.

“He was somewhere he should not be and someone needs to make people aware that this is a problem.

“It’s not that we have an axe to grind against bikers, but next time, somebody could be killed.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 942 300914, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

‘Don’t be a fool like me’, says dressage rider who rode with a broken neck for 18 months

Alice Collins — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:32:17 +0000

A dressage rider has been riding with a likely broken neck for 18 months, his doctor recently informed him.

West Sussex-based Jody Haswell fell off a young horse some time ago, but never had his injuries checked out.

“I got straight back on and carried on schooling,” he said. “I persuaded myself it hadn’t been that serious, but I felt like I was on a different planet for the next two weeks.

“I buried my head and kept getting on with it, like us horsey people do, but I kept getting migraines.”

Finally, last week — 18 months after the accident — Jody went to the doctor, complaining of severe headaches.

The doctor attributed the pain to the fall, and said that it was very likely that Jody had broken his neck in the accident in early 2013.

“He told me I was silly for not coming in at the time,” said Jody. “I’d say to anyone else who has any sort of fall, go straight to A&E. If you feel funny, something’s probably not right. Don’t be a fool like me.”

Jody’s fall was from a youngster when he was alone in the arena. The horse leapt and Jody was ejected out of the side door. As he fell, the horse leapt upwards again and Jody hit his head hard on the saddle.

“If I hadn’t been wearing a hat, I’m sure I would have been knocked out — or worse,” he concluded.

“People should wear hats all the time — especially as they are so fashionable these days.”

Jody and his wife Hannah have 21-month-old triplets, another factor in Jody’s decision not to seek medical help immediately.

“They’ve just started walking talking and being demanding and life never stops; I’m always on the go, and I thought I didn’t have time to go and get checked,” added Jody, who runs a training and livery yard and typically rides six to 10 horses a day.

Some of his horses — including four stallions — are owned in partnership with Germany’s Paul Schockemöhle.

Rider in intensive care after eventing fall

Sophia Heath — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:19:02 +0000

An event rider is in intensive care after a serious fall at Allerton Horse Trials on Saturday (20 September).

Katy Hurst, who competes up to three-star, had a horse fall with Ted Dexter in the intermediate novice. The combination had won a novice section at Richmond last month (29 August)

The 32-year-old is understood to be in intensive care at Leeds Hospital having sustained head and pelvic injuries.

“Kate has spent 12hrs in theatre today undergoing several procedures,” her father said on social media in the early hours of this morning (24 September).

“The surgeon advised that all went well. She is now back in intensive care resting.”

Local press have reported that Katy is being kept in an induced coma in order to help her recovery.

Support has flooded in for the rider, who is based near Market Rasen, on her Facebook page.

“Wishing Katy well and sending thoughts and prayers to you all, she will bounce back and will be riding again before you know it,” wrote one well-wisher. “Katy is very strong and if anyone can come back from such an awful accident it’s Katy. Thinking of you all.”

“So sorry to hear about your accident, thinking of you and wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery,” added another.

Horse killed in road traffic accident

Caroline Bankes — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:55:00 +0000

A horse has died during a traffic accident in the West Midlands last week.

A car collided with a horse and cart in Stonnall, near Walsall, on Friday (19 September) seriously injuring the passengers and killing the horse.

Three ambulances from West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to the junction of Chester Road and Lazy Hill just before 8.30pm.

A trauma doctor, paramedics and medics from the Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency (CARE) team also attended the scene.

“Upon arrival crews found a horse-drawn cart and a car which had been involved in a significant collision,” said a spokesman from the ambulance service.

“A young boy, who had been riding the horse at the time of the collision, sustained a serious head injury and abrasions to his body.”

The medics anaesthetised the boy at the scene to stabilise him and he was then taken to Birmingham Childrens’ Hospital.

The 17-year-old girl thrown from the cart had suspected spinal injuries.

She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a regional trauma centre, for further emergency treatment.

A man and two-year-old boy in the cart were found to have suffered less serious injuries.

Both were taken to Walsall Manor hospital along with the driver of the car — a man believed to be in his seveneties who had sustained a minor head injury.

The horse was pronounced dead at the scene by an emergency vet.

Equine vets in danger [H&H VIP]

Pippa Cuckson — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 07:50:52 +0000

Vet students have been warned by the equine veterinary professional body to think seriously before specialising in horses, now that equine practice is officially labelled the most injurious civilian profession.

This pessimistic recommendation came from British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) former president Keith Chandler, after an extensive study published last week (11 September) showed that horse vets are substantially more likely to sustain injury at work than firefighters, policemen, shipbuilders or members of the prison service —and are notably lacking in health and safety awareness.

In 2013, before the study, BEVA wrote to veterinary schools highlighting the worrying restriction in employment opportunities in equine practice. Now BEVA is further underlining the downside.

This week Mr Chandler told H&H: “Last year, we identified there were very few jobs compared with the numbers of graduates who expressed an interest. We are proud that so many young people want to work in equine practice, but they need to be aware of the restricted employment opportunities and the risk of injury.”

BEVA commissioned the study from the Institute of Health and Wellbeing and the University of Glasgow’s veterinary school, whose lead researcher Tim Parkin described it as a “wake-up call”.

Hind legs do the most damage

Anecdotal information had long suggested that horse vets are frequently hurt and occasionally killed. But the prevalence and type of injury had never been documented, so 25% of BEVA members completed an extensive questionnaire.

An estimated 164 of the 620 respondents were hurt per year. Even if the remaining 75% of BEVA members had “improbably” never been hurt, the study extrapolated a pro-rata equivalent to more than 5,400 injuries per 100,000 persons per year.

In a 30-year career, horse vets can expect seven to eight injuries serious enough to lose working days.

A horse’s hind limbs are the most lethal, accounting for 49% of reported injuries. Vets’ legs (29%) and heads (23%) were the most common targets.

Mr Chandler said: “Of greatest concern is the number who suffered head injuries and unconsciousness. These injuries appeared more common during certain procedures, such as endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract, when vets are often only partly sighted while using examination equipment, or during wound management and bandage changes, where vets are often crouching for long periods.”

Many of the most severe injuries occurred when the vet was treating a pleasure horse handled by the owner or client.

BEVA compared its findings with data for other professions, held by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with whom BEVA is now working to mitigate risk.

Only 37% of respondents had ever completed an accident report form and only 14% reported injuries to the HSE, even though 44% had been unable to return to work promptly.

The study also noted: “In this industry, where it would appear that there was a relative lack of health and safety awareness, it is possible that there was considerable under-reporting and it is noteworthy that 23% of injuries required hospital treatment.”

Personal health insurance and income protection policies tailored to vets is a new concept.

“There is no requirement to take out personal insurance, but practices have to take out public liability insurance, as all businesses do. The question is less about insurance and more about raising awareness as a first step,” Mr Chandler told H&H.

A sometimes fatal profession

BEVA’s 44-page report mentions no victims by name, although accidents often make the news.

Irish vet Gerard Long died after being kicked in the head in May this year. He is one of nine vets now identified by their still active colleagues to have died in work-related accidents.

In 2008, former British eventing team vet Bob Baskerville needed facial reconstructive surgery after being kicked when preparing to treat the hind fetlock of a sedated two-year-old in the relative safety of his clinic.

Racing and eventing vet Mark Lucey still has an impaired kidney, ruptured 25 years ago when kicked while pregnancy-testing a docile mare known to his practice.

One Newmarket vet, who preferred not to be named, said: “My most dangerous daily encounter is dealing with foot lameness in foals, weanlings and yearlings. Apart from being trodden on, the greatest risks are potentially lethal or disfiguring kicks to the face and upper body. In some practices, vets now wear helmets when digging pus out of feet or doing nerve or joint-blocks.

“Prevention is the best cure: experienced handlers, sedation and suitable facilities — examination stocks etc — are essential, although obviously not always possible.

Other restraining methods such as twitching are very useful but must be used judiciously. A horse exploding off a twitch is very dangerous.”

Mr Lucey thinks owners misunderstand the purpose and efficacy of sedation.

“I went to take stitches out of an eventer sutured 10 days before for a small laceration inside the stifle area,” he said. “I did dope it, as it was known to be a bit difficult. It looked very sleepy. The horse woke up suddenly and exploded and I ended up in the straw with the scissors embedded in my arm.

“Sedated horses can still react to painful stimuli and, because they are sedated, seem to summon up more power to overcome the sedation — hence they move very quickly. Sedatives are not painkillers.

“Also we vets — possibly because we think we have sedated them satisfactorily — tend to take more risks or stand in more dangerous positions. Sedation affects some horses more than others, so it’s very difficult to give average dose rates.”

Most risky professions *

Equine vet 5,467 injurious accidents per 100,000 persons
Prison service 3,576
Fireman 2,379
Police officer 1,583
Forestry worker 1,490
Construction 995
Farm worker 432
Non equine-specialist vet 215

*all figures adjusted pro rata

Most risky procedures

Foot lameness 11.3% of reported accidents
Dental exam 6.8%
Female reproductive exam 6%
Distal limb nerve block 5.3%
Minor surgery 5.3%
Bandage or wound dressing 4.9%
IV injection or blood sampling 4.1%
Standing castration 4.1%

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 18 September 2014

Footballer backs revolutionary new therapy boot for horses

Sophia Heath — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 09:48:26 +0000

Footballer Wayne Rooney is financing the development of a revolutionary new therapy boot for horses.

The brainchild of inventor Richard Mills, the Swellaway works by applying cooling, heating and compression to common leg injuries.

The patented device uses a wireless controller, which can be adjusted depending on the horse’s injuries or exercise routine.

“Utilising game-changing technology, the boot is an all-in-one electronic device offering treatment without any pipes, water or ice,” said a spokesman for the company.

The Swellaway therapy boot has taken three years to develop and was trialled last year.

Further tests are underway before it is launched to the trade at BETA International next year (22-24 February, 2015).

The boots should be available for horse owners to buy next summer.

There are also plans to adapt the product for human use at a later date.

For more information visit: www.swellaway.co.uk

International event rider suffers pelvis injury

Martha Terry — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 12:30:29 +0000

Former UK-based Kiwi eventer Joe Meyer is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after “an involuntary dismount while mounting a young horse” last Tuesday (15 April).

He has been diagnosed with a separated pelvis, with some cartilage and ligament damage.

“Could have been worse, but feeling like I’ve been hit by a train this am!” the 2008 Olympic rider tweeted the day of the accident.

Joe, who is now based in Florida, has been campaigning the exciting stallion, South Paw, and his veteran partner Sanskrit (pictured above), this spring.

He is still “too sore” to travel to this week’s Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, even as a spectator — an event at which he often competes.

He is covered by PRO Event Riders insurance plan.

Separated pelvis is often known as “saddle horn” injury in the US — where it is most commonly seen in rodeo riders landing badly on the saddle after being thrown out of it.

In a study in the US, 90% of riders with the injury were back riding within a year, although there are many associated complications. Extensive physiotherapy is required, and sometimes surgery.

Jockey making good progress after life-threatening fall

Martha Terry — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 11:19:18 +0000

Jason Maguire has been brought out of an induced coma after undergoing surgery to remove part of his liver following a heavy fall at Stratford on Monday (10 March).

The 2011 Grand National-winning jockey, 33, was kicked in the stomach by another horse after being unseated from Scots Gaelic in a 2-mile handicap hurdle. He was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry.

He suffered internal bleeding and a fractured sternum, forcing him to miss this week’s Cheltenham Festival.

Jane Broad, the wife of his agent, Chris, told journalists that the operation on his liver was a success, and that Jason was brought round from his induced coma throughout the course of Tuesday (11 March).

He has been surrounded by his wife, Lauren, and close friends, and is said to be “very aware of who is around him”.

Mixed response for endurance clean-up plan

Flora Watkins — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:27:17 +0000

Plans to clean up endurance put forward by an FEI taskforce were broadly supported by delegates at the general assembly in Montreux, Switzerland today (6 November).

But some critics say more could be done to deal with high levels of doping and fractures in Group VII (Middle Eastern) nations.

The endurance strategic planning group’s chair, Andrew Finding — who is also chief executive of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) — told delegates that injuries in endurance had reached a “catastrophic level”.

There had been, he said, a “systemic failure” in managing the growth of the sport — which is now globally the second most popular equestrian discipline, behind showjumping.

Among the proposals put forward by Mr Finding and his colleagues on the strategic planning group were:

> endurance trainers to become the “person responsible” for the horse’s welfare, rather than the rider — and regulated as heavily as Flat racing trainers

> dope testing horses outside of competition

> introduce tougher ride qualifications; currently just one completion is necessary to progress to the next level

> improved reporting and monitoring of injuries

> tougher penalties for officials who fail to penalise rule violations

Theo Ploegmakers of the Dutch Equestrian Federation — which has criticised the strategy group for not being sufficiently independent — expressed his “compliments” to Mr Finding.

“What I have seen here today has impressed me. I am absolutely convinced that you’re on the right track and we will support you to the end,” he said.

But Belgian national coach Pierre Arnould said “the vast majority of responsible riders” were paying for a “small minority”.

The FEI should take “immediate, strong” action against the 3 federations causing 90% of the problems, he said.

There was criticism, too, from Malcolm McDonald of the Jamaican federation. Earlier this week he called for FEI president Princess Haya’s resignation due to the “conflict of interest” between her clean sport role and her marriage to Sheikh Mohammed — whose endurance stables have been at the centre of much of the controversy.

Mr McDonald said a wider programme of dope testing should be put in place.

“Test the horses and eliminate them aggressively within the next 3 to 5 years,” he said.

“You will eliminate it [the problem],” he said.

Men banned from keeping horses after leaving stallion’s injuries untreated

Charlotte White — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:58:47 +0000

A London man and a friend who was looking after a horse for him have both been fined and banned from keeping horses for five years after allowing wounds to a stallion’s sheath to go untreated.

RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon was answering a call in May 2012 about a thin pony at stables in Captains Wood Road in Maldon, Essex.

She found Little Man, a five-year-old grey roan cob, standing in a field with untreated injuries to his sheath, swelling from his genitals to his neck and a serious infestation of mites in his feathers.

Blood tests showed he was suffering from malnutrition.

Inspector Russon says: “On interviewing his owner I discovered that, during the previous week, Little Man had tried to jump a five-bar gate to get to his mare in the next field but failed to clear it.

“He landed with his head underneath him looking backwards and his back legs caught on the other side of the gate.”

“Apparently, a member of the public found him stuck and dismantled the gate to get him onto his feet again.”

At Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesday (22 January) Little Man’s owner John O’Leary, aged 63, of Cranley Gardens, London, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering.

He was ordered to pay £2,100 costs and fined £1,600.

And Dereck Boyce, aged 65, of Rectory Road, Woodham Walter, Essex, who looked after Little Man, a mare and a filly for Mr O’Leary, was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, ordered to pay £2,100 and was given a 200 hours community service order.

Both were banned form keeping horses for five years.

Little Man was taken into the care of the RSPCA and has since been gelded.

Showjumper Athina Onassis de Miranda has back injury

Charlotte White — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:02:21 +0000

Showjumper Athina Onassis de Miranda is in hospital with a spinal injury following a fall from a horse yesterday (13 November).

The heiress, who with her husband sponsors the Athina Onassis International Horse Show in Rio — part of the Global Champions Tour, “had a bad accident yesterday” a press release states.

“Whilst training at home she fell from her horse. She has a dorsal spinal injury [a back rather than neck injury],” reads the statement.

It adds that her husband and fellow showjumper Alvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto, known as “Doda”, is “close by her side at the hospital”.

“It is a very bad injury but we are happy, it could have been much worse,” said Mr de Miranda Neto. “She will make a complete recovery.”

Showjumper Ben Maher “fine” after kick to the head

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:00:23 +0000

Olympic gold medal winning showjumper Ben Maher is recovering after being kicked in the head yesterday (Monday 12 November)

Ben was leading in a horse at his yard in Essex when it slipped and fell on him.

“I’m absolutely fine,” he told H&H. “I was kicked in the head, but because of the position of the injury it had to be glued rather than stitched.

“The horse pulled me over and squashed my leg, and as it was scrambling to get up caught me on the top of my head with its hoof.

“It was a freak accident — I didn’t ride today but will be back to compete at Stuttgart (German Masters 16-20 November). My leg’s a bit sore but I’ll be fine. It might be a bit uncomfortable wearing a hat though.”

Ben was treated at Harlow hospital.

US eventer Karen O’Connor breaks back in rotational fall

Horse & Hound — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:19:53 +0000

American event rider Karen O’Connor has broken her back in a rotational fall.

Karen and her horse Veronica fell at fence 13 in the advanced championship at Morven Park Horse Trials, Virginia, at the weekend (Saturday 6 October).

“Karen has a burst T4 fracture and a compression fracture of the T5 vertebrae but is neurologically fine and will recover with some rest in a special cast for her torso,” said a statement on her website.

“Karen’s spirits are great and she wants to thank everyone for their well wishes and she’s hoping to be home this week.”

Veronica is unhurt.

Useful tips to prevent horse injures

Horse & Hound — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:19:07 +0000

H&H looks at some ways to help keep injuries at bay.

1. Ensure your horse is fit for the job

Bob Baskerville says: “I see a lot of injuries occur during low-grade sponsored rides where the horses are, generally, older and not fit enough.” So, although it may seem obvious, ensure your horse is up to the task you are asking of him and that his fitness training has been tailored to his discipline.

2. Use appropriate leg protection

It is better to go barelegged at an event than to use inappropriate boots and bandages. If the boots are too rigid or have too much elasticity, they can cause more harm than good. Good leg protection serves a purpose, but it is crucial that all protection fits correctly and doesn’t hinder your horse’s action.

3. Shoe competition horses according to the job they do

You will hinder a fit thoroughbred going at speed across country if you put weighty shoes designed for warmbloods on it. A lot of farriers now follow the principal of keeping the toe short and the heel higher. This is fine for horses needing remedial shoeing and for those not expected to perform at speed, but if a galloping horse has its heels too high, there is potential for the superficial flexor tendon to be overloaded.

Download the Ask the Vet app to read all the latest on horse health from wounds to insurance, headshaking to sweet itch and mud fever to laminitis

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New research reveals scale of turnout injuries

Flora Watkins — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:20:50 +0000

New research suggests that horses get injured far more frequently than thought.

And the surprising findings reveal that most injuries occur during turnout – rather than in ridden exercise.

Vet Rosie Owen of Liverpool University studied 652 randomly selected competition and leisure horses.

She found that 40% of horses suffered a “traumatic injury” – anything from a graze to a fracture – in the course of a year. Of those, 47% required veterinary treatment.

But what will come as a surprise to many horse owners is that 62% of injuries occurred while the horse was turned out in the field.

Only 13% of injuries happened during ridden exercise, while 11% occurred in the stable.

Ms Owen told H&H: “The most common injuries [ridden and non-ridden] were lower leg wounds. Ten per cent of these were severe, such as fractures.”

Her research – sponsored by the Horse Trust and published in the Equine Veterinary Journal – shows that competition horses are at double the risk of injury compared with leisure horses during turnout.

“It could be because these horses are stabled for long periods, to avoid injury.

When they go out in the field, there is the ‘rebound effect’ and they charge around bucking and kicking,” said Ms Owen.

Insurance industry figures have told H&H they work on the basis that one in five policy-holders will make a claim in any one year.

David Buckton, head of livestock at South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB): “This is a very difficult market for insurers to make a profit in. One of our underwriters pulled out last year because they couldn’t make it pay.”

But Mr Buckton is firmly against the notion of “wrapping horses in cotton wool”.

“We love our horses dearly, but they are a working animal,” he said. “They should be exercised and used – and turned out.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (1 December 2011)

For all your insurance needs, contact KBIS

Hard ground contributes to spate of hunting injuries

Horse & Hound — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:59:23 +0000

A spate of hunting falls in the past few weeks seem to have been aggravated by hard ground.

At the Warwickshire, there have been several trips to A&E of late – from broken wrists to dislocated shoulders and broken collarbones. Huntsman William Deakin dislocated his shoulder and was off for 10 days.

“We have had quite a few injuries, but it hasn’t dented people’s spirits – they’re still coming out,” said Warwickshire joint-master Sam Butler.

“I don’t think the falls can be blamed on the hard ground, but they may well have been made worse by it. If you hit the floor, there’s no soft, muddy landing.

“The ground is still quite hard now – we haven’t had much rain and the Warwickshire clay doesn’t have much give.”

Both Beaufort whippers-in have been sidelined recently – one with a broken collarbone and the other with a broken leg. But huntsman Tony Holdsworth told H&H they were “just unlucky”.

And the Fitzwilliam huntsman was off games for a couple of weeks after bruising his ribs when he fell from his horse in a sugar beet field.

“It’s always hard to land on that, but I have certainly heard of quite a few falls and accidents lately,” said joint-master George Bowyer.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (1 December 2011)

For all your insurance needs, contact KBIS

Proposal for FEI injuries database questioned by experts

Horse & Hound — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:00:20 +0000

The feasibility of a new International Equestrian Federation (FEI) injuries database, to record in detail the type, frequency and outcome of equine injuries occurring in competitions, has been questioned by experts.

All agree the proposed FEI database could be a positive step forward for horse welfare — the information collated will increase research into improving safety and preventing injuries.

But some in the industry have questioned how easy it will be to collect the data.

FEI veterinary director Graeme Cooke said: “The FEI is following in horse racing’s footsteps.

“Most racing authorities now keep detailed records of the types of injuries horses sustain on the track, which enables them to have a deeper insight into the risk factors involved and identify those horses most at risk.”

And FEI veterinary delegate Dr Paul Farrington added: “If we can glean a greater insight into the types of injuries that are occurring under different circumstances we can take positive steps to prevent them in the first place.”

However British Eventing (BE) safety officer Jonathan Clissold said: “BE already records injury data at a national level — any horse receiving veterinary attention at a BE event has its treatment logged at the time.

“But if a horse pulls up slightly lame at an event, it is often not seen by the on-site vet and so won’t be recorded.”

And H&H’s veterinary consultant Karen Coumbe added: “Most injuries in competition — particularly in eventing — occur when horses are tired and might not come to light until several days later.”

The database was proposed at an FEI Bureau meeting in May and further discussions will take place with national federations.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (9 June, 2011)

Badminton Horse Trials injuries update

Horse & Hound — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:38:25 +0000

During yesterday’s cross-country phase some riders and their horses sustained injuries. Here is the latest news on their injury status.

Ireland’s Elizabeth Power was kept in at Frenchay Hospital overnight for observation after being knocked out when Kilpatrick River left a leg at the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Huntsmans Close.

Fellow Irish rider Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just A Jiff) had a fall at the L200 Pick Ups and was ambulanced off course. She was initially taken to the on-site medical centre then subsequently to Frenchay with a suspected broken collarbone.

Ingrid Klimke (FRH Butts Abraxxas) fell earlier in the day, at the gate into Huntsmans Close, and sustained an injury to her leg. She was taken to Frenchay for a precautionary X-ray to her knee.

Karen O’Connor’s Mandiba is reported to have suffered a broken rib when falling off the Outlander Bank, after refusing the rail on top.

Showjumper Craig Rimell taken to hospital after slipping on ice

Horse & Hound — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:51:00 +0000

Showjumper Craig Rimell has spent five days in hospital after slipping on ice.

But the 40-year-old former whipper-in for the Albrighton turned jumper hopes to be back in saddle within the fortnight.

“I walked out of my front door and fell over on the ice,” said Solihull-based Craig.

“I tore a tendon, injured ligaments and bruised the bone. If you fell off a horse you’d accept that kind of damage, but to do it on your feet is embarrassing.

“But I’m not going to be put off, and I’ve got to be ready in time for the shows in January. Besides, horse are my drug and I’m in need of a fix.”

As well as show jumping, Craig works for trainer Ian Williams and rides and schools horses.

Common hunting injuries

Horse & Hound — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:58:09 +0000

Latest hunting news

View hunters for sale

What are the other most frequently seen hunting injuries and what can be done to minimise them?

Hunters are more likely than other horses to get corns and other types of foot bruising associated with concussion and trotting on roads.

Regular, careful shoeing so that the heels are always protected by the shoe is necessary to prevent this foot ailment.

Jumping out of plough or deep ground places the fetlock joints under a huge amount of stress.

When I used to hunt with the Whaddon Chase, which crossed deep clay soil, it would give rise to an injury so common to this hunt that we termed it “Whaddon leg”.

It was a combination of stress fractures in the splint bone and suspensory strains to the fetlock ligament that occurred as a result of jumping out of heavy ground.

Galloping in a large field carries its own risks. I have seen plenty of injuries caused by people riding close to one another.

It is not uncommon for a horse that is following too closely behind to strike into the hindlegs of the one in front. That is a simple common-sense issue, as is galloping through muddy gateways — another common site of injury.

Hunting conditions can be strange and specific. They can also be insidious in their onset.

The first sign of trouble might be a filled leg, then the next day the horse might be slightly lame. Minor injuries can quickly develop into serious ones if they are left untreated.

For the full feature on hunting injuries, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 October, ’10)

Go to latest hunting news

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News on horses and rider injured during WEG cross-country

Horse & Hound — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 05:20:09 +0000

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games press office has issued updates on the horses and rider who were injured during yesterday’s cross-country competition.

Paul Tapner pulled up Badminton winner Inonothing (pictured) at fence 13, the Fort Boonesboro, and he looked lame behind. X-rays at the on-site clinic showed a fracture of the horse’s left-hind patella (knee cap). The horse is currently resting in his own stable and the prognosis is described as “favourable”.

Italy’s Iman Du Golfe and Juan Carlos Garcia — team silver medallists at last year’s European Championships — had a fall at fence 20, Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace, which resulted in a hold on course of around 30min. Iman Du Golfe was transported to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital where he was treated for a deep laceration and small bone chip near his left elbow. The horse is now described as “resting comfortably and attending vets are optimistic he will make a full recovery”.

Juan Carlos was released from hospital after being examined and treated for minor injuries.

Ireland’s Fernhill Clover Mist, ridden by Patricia Ryan, suffered an injury to his left hock while he was galloping between fences. He was transported to the on-site veterinary clinic, where he was medicated and examined before being returned to his own stable. The attending vet expects the horse to continue to improve.

Report on cross-country action

More updates on the eventing from WEG online today, full report in H&H, out 7 October.

Rider and mother injured at Chatsworth Horse Trials

Horse & Hound — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:21:15 +0000

Event rider Jolyse Clancey and her mother Alyse both needed medical attention at Chatsworth Horse Trials yesterday when the 22-year-old rider fell in the showjumping phase of the advanced class.

Jolyse was tackling a treble on her 8-year-old mare On A Star when her saddle slipped and Jolyse took a crashing fall, taking the bridle with her.

Eye witness John White told H&H: “The saddle had turned completely under the horse’s stomach and the horse was careering around bucking and kicking to try to get rid of it.

“A woman [Alyse Clancey] ran forward to try to catch the mare and was knocked flying. It jumped out of the ring and I had to leap out of the way.”

The horse carried on into the crowd and knocked into another two spectators before being caught, unhurt.

Chatsworth director Tissie Reason said Mrs Clancey and her daughter were both treated by paramedics.

She said Mrs Clancey had been kicked in the face by the horse and Jolyse had injured her pelvis.

She added that more will be known about their injuries later today.

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‘It was horrendous’: top eventer recovers from serious injury to become broodmare

Ann said to Dani to follow the vets’ guidance, and although it was clear the then 11-year-old mare’s ridden career was over, the vets felt she could be saved.

“You couldn’t have a better broodmare, so it was worth going through the process, although she went through a lot of complications. She’s well now and having a nice life so it completely proves it was the right decision, but it was a long slow process,” said Dani.

Holly spent four months in a veterinary hospital and Dani paid tribute to B&W Equine Vets, especially Dicky Hepburn, and Lizzie Kopec, a Bristol vet student who kept a horse at Dani’s yard and who was working at the vets.

“She was very helpful with communication and knowing Holly,” she said.

Holly then went for rehabilitation at Sarah George’s Team Green Horses.

Hollywood Dancer returned to Dani’s yard in December and is now going out in the field during the day and staying in at night.

Dani started a small breeding programme last year and will now work with Ann to breed from Holly. The aim is to do this as a business and sell her offspring, but Ann will keep one herself to event. They plan to put her in foal this spring and they may also do an embryo transfer.

“I want to find a stallion that makes up for the small things she lacks so I’m asking lots of knowledgeable people,” says Dani, who is considering Amira Z or Diamant De Semilly.

“She has an amazing brain so it doesn’t matter if the sire is a bit sharper. We are fortunate she has the best temperament and attitude to work; she’s been a winner throughout her career and I wouldn’t mind another 10 Hollys in my stable.”

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‘I had a string of great horses… and two weeks later it was gone’: how to bounce back after a string of bad luck

Showjumper Holly Smith also lost owners after picking up an injury. She sustained a bad break that completely shattered her ankle after falling off and landing on her feet. “It was so hard to deal with at the time,” she said.

Franky Reid- Warrilow had a run of bad results, then her top horse sustained an injury. This followed breaking her hip and collarbone over the course of a few years.

“Together it sounds awful, but I accepted that the issues I was facing were very much part of the sport,” says Franky. “You get bad results sometimes, horses get injured, and riders break bones… and seeing it for what it was was really important for me.

“The broken bones were the easiest to deal with. The horse injury was much worse as there’s so much emotion connected to a horse injuring itself.”

In all, Aaron didn’t compete for a year. During this time a syndicate that had been set up fell through via email — there was a large financial impact as the business still had overheads and so much more too.

“I decided that I needed to make sure that this couldn’t happen again and needed to rebuild with a structure, so now I have a half share in most of the competition horses here,” explains Aaron. “Financially, it’s hard work, but it’s worth it.

“I also had the extra issue that, because of the accident and how high profile it was, people had concerns about my fitness, and I get that, but it made me incredibly determined.”

Harriet used the time after she sent horses home to concentrate on teaching, look at what other professionals were doing, and researching syndicates and how they worked.

Although Holly lost some of her competition horses following her accident, the issue also led her to find a new owner and the horse that took her to the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG).

“I had known Gordon (Hall) for a while, but when I came out of hospital he came on board as an owner and we bought a horse that took me to WEG. Without the accident I wouldn’t have done that.”

As for tips, staying positive was a big thing for Harriet and, in fact, this positivity helped her to attract owners to her syndicate, which allowed her to invest in the horsepower she needed.

Self-belief can play a huge part in navigating hard times, as Holly well knows.

“For me, just keeping going is what changed things around. I had to look after myself and kept focused on what had worked well for me before the accident, although it wasn’t always easy.”

Aaron suggests that finding that support network is really important.

“Make sure the people around you want the best for you — that’s been such a huge help for me. Seeking professional help too, in the form of fitness as well as for the PTSD I suffered has been key.

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Rider recovers from broken back to qualify for Badminton grassroots championships

Aberdeen-based Eilidh told H&H she was unable to get up but initially thought she had just winded herself.

“I lay there and took a few deep breaths and thought ‘I’ll be fine’. But then I still couldn’t get up,” she said.

Eilidh went to hospital and an X-ray showed she had broken her L1 vertebra.

“I’ve had injuries in the past and said ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine’, but I knew deep down this time there must be something wrong because I had actually gone to hospital,” said Eiidh.

Eilidh was still able to teach during her recovery but could not move poles and jumps, or offer riding or clipping.

“A lot of what I do in winter is keeping horses ticking over and clipping, so it really had a big impact on my work life for a few months, until I was able to do a bit more,” she said.

When Eilidh was able to return to the saddle, she started on her small cob Annie.

“I built up riding again on Annie, then moved on to my other mare Bridget who’s also pretty sensible. Then later I started riding my event horse Eddie again.”

Eilidh built up her riding, and started physio sessions with Caroline Frew of Perform Chartered Physio, which she says made a “huge difference”. She also trained with dressage rider Charlie Hutton and five-star event rider Wills Oakden, to help build her confidence back up.

“Burgie was where I rode my first event in 2005, so I had to go to their last. I did it, and after that I thought we could probably manage another, and then we ended up winning the BE90 at Glamis Castle,” she said.

A number of weeks later Eilidh received notification that she had qualified for the BE90 Badminton Grassroots Championships. She and Eddie had previously qualified for the 2020 event, the year Badminton was cancelled to Covid.

“I thought only the winner at Blair qualified, but it turned out the top three did so it was a complete surprise. I told a couple of friends and they said ‘You have to go!’,” she said.

“It’s going to be a long drive that we’ll need to split over a couple of days but my friend Anna Miller has agreed to come and support me. Hopefully the weather will be kind over the next few weeks and we manage to do a bit more riding.

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‘My bone snapped outside of my leg’: young rider returns from serious injury to finish with ponies on a high

“Winnie lost her footing, landed on top of me and my bone snapped outside of my leg. I had to learn to walk with a zimmer frame and I wasn’t allowed to ride for six months,“ Emily told H&H.

“I’ve always been the one to ride Winnie so we gave her the time off while I recovered. I was itching to get back on and when I did in January I was so happy, I don’t think I’ve ever smiled that much on a horse.”

“We had missed most of the winter training so we had to use our early events as our training,” said Emily, who was again selected for the Bishop Burton international youth championships this autumn, after missing the competition last year.

“We’ve had a great season, I couldn’t ask for any more. We were fourth in the two-star at Cornbury on 8th September and finished on our dressage score – she was insane.”

Winnie will be sold as Emily makes the step up to horses, with hopes of running her own event yard in the future.

“I’ve ridden Winnie her whole life, we’ve produced each other. She means everything to me and it will be hard when the time comes for her to move on,” said Emily.

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‘They don’t go to hospital unless something’s hanging off’: research shines light on equestrian-related injuries

One of the researchers, trauma surgeon Jeffrey Skubic, told H&H it is hoped the study will raise awareness about wearing protective equipment, especially in the US where Western riding is more common.

“We also want to raise awareness to trauma surgeons when they are getting a patient who has fallen off a horse to know what injuries they should be looking for.”

“Many of the really serious injuries happen on the ground because people don’t tend to wear a hat taking their horse to the field, or when loading. I think this is the area we really need to concentrate on going forward.”

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Education on how horses learn may help keep vets safe

“These are injuries being caused by horse behaviour – whether they’ve been kicked or struck – and yet nobody teaches vets about horse behaviour. It’s assumed they’ll pick it up,” she said.

Lucy Grieve, chair of the BEVA ethics and welfare committee, told H&H the study demonstrates a potential problem “across the board” when it comes to horse behaviour.

“Everyone has their opinions on how to handle difficult horses, but with so much anecdote, and simply ‘doing what one has always done’, there has been little time spent trying to understand if there is a better, safer way,” she said.

“The more we can understand what people are doing, how well those things work, what effect it has on the horse short- and long-term, and whether it reduces the risk of injury, the better.”

Ms Grieve added that teaching and sharing up-to-date knowledge and proven methods is essential for learning and to help avoid horses suffering needlessly, and people getting hurt unnecessarily.

“Too often, if an equine displays ‘unwanted’ behaviour, it is described as behaving badly or being difficult. But there is usually an underlying reason for displaying this behaviour, such as being confused or in pain,” he said.

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Injured four-star rider forced to ‘write off’ eventing season looks to the future

James was sent home from hospital with two slings to support the breaks.

“It’s quite difficult as collarbones can’t be put in a cast so all you can do is wear a sling,” he said.

“It was quite upsetting as you don’t realise how much you use your collarbones, suddenly your freedom is taken away. I couldn’t do simple things like brush my own teeth or drive.”

“It took quite a while for things to improve at first and I had to move back to my parents home in Cornwall. But the brace made me much more comfortable, and I was in a lot less pain than before,” said James.

James said thanks to Dr Bayley he returned to the saddle sooner than he thought he would – at the end of the May. He was signed off as a patient, but the following day tore a ligament in his knee that required surgery.

“I was bending down to pick something up when it happened. It was so frustrating having got back on board the week before. After the surgery I had to wear a full leg brace for six weeks and that’s when I wrote the rest of the eventing season off for my horses,” said James.

“The recovery was difficult as I couldn’t really use crutches because my collarbones aren’t as strong as someone else’s might be. But after a couple of weeks of pottering around I was able to go back to teaching.”

After six weeks James returned to the saddle.

“I was excited to get back on but I had to take things quite easy. I got back on my four-star horse Rudy Valentino, I’ve had him nearly eight years and trusted he wouldn’t try to put me on the floor!” said James.

“Since then I’ve been concentrating on my fitness and strength but I’m pretty much back to normal. The plan is to get out to showjumping and dressage during winter in preparation for next year’s eventing season.”