In January of 1995, I am told that I went riding w/ our saddle club -
I DON'T REMEMBER! Evidently, we rode through a field, following a
"safe" path at a gallop. My horse placed both front feet into a new
chuck hole, flipped over head first, landing on me. My husband says
the fall was so spectacular that cars on a neighboring busy road
stopped to help. The horse was lame for weeks, but nothing broken.
I wore a helmet that day. I had strained ligaments in my hips, 3
broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and a severe concussion. My
Troxel helmet had split w/ the impact of the fall.
I had swelling of my brain that caused breathing problems, loss of
memory, and oral expressive aphasia (I know what I want to say, but have a
hard time getting it out!). I almost died. Without the helmet, I
firmly believe I would have died! I did not keep up my tack business
for almost a year, and my full time job as a pediatric nurse/vascular
access coordinator was on shaky ground.
I am only just now starting to feel normal. I STILL have some
aphasia, even after rehab. I guess that I am fortunate that I wore a
helmet, was riding w/ folks who could help, and I was close to an
excellent hospital. I have no fear of riding - I don't remember ever
falling! (To those of you who wrote for catalogs, etc last year &
didn't hear from me, I'm sorry! My husband kept all of that away
from me so I would concentrate on recuperating.)
I am a GREAT believer in HELMETS! Troxel replaced the broken helmet
for free. I wear it even if I pan to ride the horse bareback in from the
pasture. Helmets only help if you are wearing it. No ride is too
short to warrant a helmet! Please, don't be a head injury statistic!
Protect yourself w/ the BEST helmet you can buy. Older models do
not offer the impact protection that modern helmets can.
I hope to see you all on the trails - & I'm glad to still be here to
ride!
Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Equestrian Supplies/ Blue Wolf Ranch
Chesapeake, VA
"In case of emergency - Fur side up, steel side down!"