I didn't see it happen, so I don't know if Lily had a concussion or not. Yesterday Lily was riding Buddy with nothing but a halter and a leadrope -- just a quick ride because she'd had to stay after school for violin concert practice. It always happens on the quick ride, doesn't it?
She remembers arguing with Buddy over which way they were going. Probably not the best decision for riding with a halter and leadrope. And he got upset and she lost the argument. She landed on her back and cracked the back of her helmet (it was a new International schooling helmet -- the Styrofoam split from the bottom to inside back).
I couldn't decipher what had happened, nor how severely she was injured. Nothing broken but lots of scratches on her back and arms. She was willing to get back on, so she rode him for a little while longer. It was then I realized she was crying.
She was confused. Was that from fright, or a concussion? She was quite upset, she said because she couldn't remember. Was that because it happened quickly, or had she blacked out? She didn't know. I didn't know. She seemed otherwise fine, so I got her into a warm bath and gave her an Advil.
And I watched her. She developed a headache. I looked up "head trauma" in my childcare book. Then I started to worry. I shouldn't have given her the Advil. She hurt -- but more than that, she was upset (this child falls off all the time and is rarely upset). She didn't want to eat, ate a little, and threw up. This was nearly four hours later. At this point, I was ready to go to the ER. (I almost called a dear friend who's a pediatrician in another city but that didn't seem fair, especially since I know her job has been very demanding lately. And I didn't call our pediatrician because they will ALWAYS tell you to go to the ER, I suspect because of potential lawsuits.)
But we didn't go to the ER. Deep down I didn't think there was anything seriously wrong and neither did Paul. But I just wanted to be sure. (When I left the room, Paul told her that if she didn't quit being so melodramatic she was going to end up in the ER because that's where I was headed. I didn't know this until later.) Lily told me she was okay, just tired. I slept with her in case she had convulsions or anything else. She didn't go to school today, and slept for 12 hours.
I'm grateful it wasn't worse. Low-key riding with a halter and leadrope has done a lot to build her confidence and trust with Buddy. Until yesterday. I think the lesson she needs to learn is to pick her battles -- to make sure she's equipped to always win. Or save the fight for another day.
What did I learn? Gratitude -- and fear. And maybe even a sense that I can trust my judgment.
Always, always wear your helmet.
Amen to that Anne. I am really glad to hear that Lily is OK there.
Time for some helmet shopping huh? Are you going to save the split one as a reminder?
Tell Lily to hang tough. And next time nab her bridle ;)
Posted by: mrs mom | April 01, 2008 at 07:43 PM
That sounds pretty nsty. Learning to pick your battles is a hard one thats for sure.
Posted by: Beckz | April 02, 2008 at 03:20 AM
Anne, I am so glad she is okay. How very scarey. Keep that helmet to show others in her club the needs for wearing a helmet. All. The. Time.
Shyla has been riding bareback with a halter and no helmet (duh mom), off and on this winter. This was an excellant reminder of why she ALWAYS needs a helmet.
Thank you.
Posted by: kathyc | April 02, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Yikes! How scary for both of you.
So true about picking your battles. I think so often we are taught that we have to be right and we always have to win and end on a good note or work through the situation. But it is possible to push horses too far. And that's dangerous. I was having a fight with a horse once and was refusing to give up -- until he reared up, overbalanced, and fell over backwards with me. I was wearing a helmet and was only a bit scraped up. But I learned my lesson--be persistent without pushing my luck.
Posted by: Jackie | April 02, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry and glad she's okay.
Posted by: Anwyn | April 03, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Oh gosh, I'm very happy that everything was Ok after all.
"She was confused" (1st reason for going to ER) then
"She developed a headache" (2nd BIG reason) then
"She hurt" (3rd) then
"she didn't want to eat, ate a little, and THREW UP"
I'd RUN to the ER if someone throws up after a fall head down.
Throwing up is the first sign that something's VERY WRONG with your brain.
Gosh, you've been very, very lucky.
Posted by: Melanippe | April 07, 2008 at 07:20 PM