Hey, so I’m lame…literally. I broke some horse-safety rules because I was in a hurry, and my complacency towards them put me in the ER a week ago Sunday (totally not the horse’s fault–he can’t help that he’s 1100lbs and I had a moment of stupid). I’m fine, thankfully, but currently have a softball for a right ankle. I missed three days of work (I’m a middle math/science school teacher), and somehow managed to hobble myself to my classroom last Thursday after the orthopedist released me. There was no indication of a fracture (though I’m getting new x-rays next Monday) and it’s likely just a severe sprain.
Is it bad that while I was sitting on the ground waiting for help I was thinking, “Well, at least my kids are done with testing”?
What manner of stupid did I do? I was in a hurry and wanted to measure my new horse’s front legs for fly boots. So while he was untied in his stall (mistake #1), I took out a measuring tape that he’d not seen before (mistake #2) and put it to his leg. He was eating and didn’t notice (mistake #3) and when he did, he spooked and jumped cat-like sideways, away from me like a good boy. However, I was squatting down/bending at the knees, rather than at the waist like you’re supposed to around horses for exactly this reason (mistake #4), so when he spooked I lost my balance and fell back on my butt…which sent my legs forward into his and the poor boy tripped all over my lower legs. In the blur of hooves and legs, I don’t know what exactly happened–just thinking, “Well, shit, he’s stepping all over me.” Thankfully he just got a leg, not my head or torso, and after the sweet boy stayed with me (staring and sniffing) the whole time until help came. Then I just felt, well,* STUPID*.
At first I thought he got my ankle, but as the swelling has subsided I’ve been able to determine he must have hit me just above the ankle bone on the inside. I’m now paranoid that I’m walking around on a broken lower tibia that was missed because all the x-rays were of my ankle and foot. Please tell me this is just pain-painted paranoia.
Thank heavens I at least had my boots on!! He could have shredded that leg if I didn’t.Pic from the ERbefore it was X-rayed and put in a splint (that’s more like a cast; I’m in a walking boot now). Note, that’s not a tan line–that’s a dirt line from being in his dusty stall.
A few days later, as the pretty colors begin to show, I look like I’m being zombified. Incidentally, I did not notice that hematoma just below the knee until I was in ER and noticed the clearly discernable horseshoe prints. Turns out, it hurts too, but is completely muted by its noisier southern neighbor.
So now, I can’t drive and can’t ride my new horse (who is beautiful and sweet). It’s a first world problem and could be much, much worse…but FUCK stupid hurts. :smack:
I hope it looks worse than it feels.
