Saw this thread on the 'trending' pane.
It's possible there's a tendency to complacency which comes with long equestrian experience, having ridden since childhood as Anne (and I) have. All riders know the hobby comes with risks; all also know that a frightened horse is a dangerous horse even to those it knows well. You forget about the potentially life-changing aspects that can happen in a split second, for which there is no contingency and which you can't plan for or anticipate.
Two years ago I was thrown from my horse during a jumping session. I sustained a compound fracture to the lumbar region of my spine and a massive pulmonary embolism in each lung. I'm lucky I didn't land on my head or break my neck. I'm lucky they caught the clots whilst I could still (just about) breathe. I'm fortunate that I've retained mobility and can still walk. I'm lucky that the awful numbness in my right thigh following surgery eventually retained full sensation.
I still have muscular stiffness and pain in the lower part of my back, but overall I think I've got off lightly in the circumstances. I no longer ride - after a busted wrist or ankle I'd be back in the saddle - but after this experience I can no longer justify it. I miss it very much, even so.
Despite the silly rhetoric about how wonderful this family are for keeping on riding in their later years, these are the risks every rider knows they are taking. I chose to do that; with hindsight I probably wouldn't do so (and would have kittens if my DC decided to take it up). And I know, having done it, how addictive it is and how very difficult it is to give it up.
Reading any story about horse-riding accidents these days makes me feel sick (especially the tragic story about euthanasia following a riding accident just a few weeks back). Hope this outcome isn't as bad as it might be and that she makes a full recovery.