Wow, when the airbag goes off it goes off like a gunshot!
Radar was arguing with me approaching a big hedge, and according to a chap who was following us he picked up, put down again and then went anyway. Of course by then he was too close and could not get the height and ploughed into the hedge and brought himself down on the landing side. He pulled off my boot trapping it under his side as I fell off, but the airbag went off, with a BANG!, and was fully up before I hit the floor. It was the easiest fall I have ever had, the jacket really worked. My neck in particular felt very protected.
Being a Michelin man didn't stop me from rolling away from him to stop him treading on me as he got up, or following to catch him, or getting back on and jumping the next fence to join back in with the pack. So it was a great test, though it will set me back nearly £20 for the cost of the cannister, it's better than trying to buy a new neck :-)
We did jump a couple more hedges, which he did very nicely, because I didn't want to end on a bad note. He was certainly more argumentative today than the first two weeks, and the fall was the price of that. Hopefully it will have taught him a lesson to listen to me better. There were other times that he simply didn't seem to have his eye on the fence today. I remember at the third meet last year being completely out of control, so he is a lot better this year, not that that is much consolation for a fall.
He seemed completely unhurt, bar a few thorns that I picked out of his chest when we got back to the lorry. I will of course trot him up tomorrow to make sure.
C
Wow! Pow!
ReplyDeleteWell, a mixed blessing on this post. I shiver to think of how dangerous that fall was, and am also delighted to hear how well the vest worked and that you were relatively safe and sound. I only say "relatively" because you may have some residual soreness in that leg, but how super to know the vest protected you that well. Fantastic.
I suspect Radar just gets focused on where the hunt is going rather than how he's going to get there himself sometimes. (Reminds me of the time Toby walked into a tree...) But perhaps there was a lesson learned. He's certainly smart enough to connect his misbehavior with a fall and might even think twice about it next time.
Glad you are OK and I hope Radar is too. Sending positive vibes and gentle hugs.
It would be cool to have that on video. Amazing how fast they deploy. And I must say that I am very glad you had it on. Such a positive experience with it will encourage others to use it too. Didn't the bang spook Radar? I would definitely say that your neck is worth 20 pounds :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you guys feel ok tomorrow.
Jean, Toby ran into a tree!?
We are all fine today. Ace is not quite sound, so very close but not quite there, so I will not be riding him until next Sunday now because tomorrow is out and there will be no point Tuesday because I am busy Wednesday Thursday Friday so he may as well wait until Sunday after Radar hunts next.
ReplyDeleteThe splint is now visible to the naked eye, so it's clear what is going on and it's of no concern.
ML I am hoping that there will be photos of it, there was a woman with a camera at the fence.
No soreness Jean, I can just about feel that something happened to my foot, but it's so faint as not to be worth commenting on really.
I'm just glad that Radar is in one piece.
C
i've just invested in one of the hit air ones, waiting for it to arrive ... very pleased your point2 worked for you! as you say, better than needing a new neck!
ReplyDeleteI'd buy a Hit Air if I was buying now Claire, I like the tucked up tail, and the price!, much better.
ReplyDeleteC
Woo hoo, does your hunt have a "Tumble Club"?? Very impressed with you getting back on and continuing in the inflated vest though, when you see eventers fall in theirs they just stop dead and don't move until its taken off.
ReplyDeleteRe the splint, I've sucessfully used Comfrey Cream (made fresh from leaves) to treat one half the size of an egg. I got it from Trinity Consultants at Justbespoke.com It completely vanished after a few months treatment.
Cheers Tracey