Trees and limbs overhanging

["spencer" <spencer@inu.net>]

A few years ago, at the beginning of a ride in east Texas, a guy riding a big horse was hit in eye with overhanging tree limb.  He got a laceration thru his eyelid and had to go back to camp and town to get it repaired.  Noone else had not problem as they were riding 'little arabs'.  That day I continued with his junior so she could still ride.  It was interesting riding with a youngster you hadn't known before, but we had a good time.  Other rides I have been on, I was cantering with my head on my horses neck to keep under the limbs.  But the limbs just hit my hard hat and were no problem.  In those days, not many wore hard hats, but it turned out to be good for branch safety too.  I have heard of riders getting cracked ribs from doing that using a western saddle (that is leaning along the horse's neck).  But I don't rope bovine so have had not use for the 'sissy stick'.  When I first came to Tx, there weren't many using english saddles and cars would slow down and make disparaging remarks about the saddle and hard hat.  Usually, I could shut them up when I told them I also rode my stallion with that postage stamp saddle.  Now I am glad to see most adults wearing hard hats.  
Mary Ann
Zavalla, Tx
+ Muscatatique
  fire red Muscat grandson
& Baskhana
  Bask grandaughter