Monday, November 15, 2010

Don't Kick a Girl When She's Down.

Someone didn't inform Denali that you don't kick a girl when she's down.
I was trying to think of how to write this.... I guess I'll just write.

Saturday morning bright and early I met Pia's mom at our barn. Denali loaded like a dream for her trip to the Vet's barn. She did a few screams, but settled down nicely. My husband and I lead the way for the 13 mile trip. When we got to the barn, that's when I got stupid.

Denali was upset. Mistake # 1. I opened the trailer door and went to get her out without giving her a few minutes to calm down. Mistake #2, I ducked under the divider to get her out. She knew I was there, but when I ducked under (and I've done this before with her.) I put her over the edge. She freaked and knocked me down and started to scramble and kick....with me under her... She kicked me at least 9 times (that's the number of marks I can count today), before my husband pulled me out of the trailer. I laid there for a few minutes while Pia's mom and the vet got my freaking out horse out of the trailer. I was convinced that I was fine and went about unloading her things, filling out her intake forms, and talking to the vet. Boy, am I stupid. She only kicks when she's upset, and she was terrified. I put her over the edge.

My husband made me go to the hospital, and it frustrated me because I honestly felt fine. I didn't cry, and I didn't feel too horrible. Then the adrenaline started to wear off....

Ophie's mom and her boyfriend came to the hospital with me. They brought me some treats and Diet Coke, along with a magazine. It was really nice of them. I sent my husband home because I honestly thought I would have a few x-rays and then get to go home. How wrong I was.

Want to get into the ER quickly? Come in with a horse trauma.

We went to my room and it was all fun and games, and then the adrenaline started to wear off. They came in to put an IV in and I proceeded to pass out. That's when the pain hit, and the fun ended. My husband soon was at the hospital.

The Dr. guessed that I broke between 3-4 ribs. I told him I'm a tough cookie and I didn't think I broke anything. Turns out I was partially right. He gave me some strong pain killers after he touched my back and I proceeded to scream and swear at him. I have a bruised kidney, bruised ribs, and my legs are covered in bruises, and my foot is swollen. Still nothing broken! I got to go home on Saturday night, but had to go back this morning. The pain killers made me sick, so I didn't take them last night before bed. BAD BAD mistake!! I'm not allowed to go to work this week until I start to heal. My poor students, one asked if I was out trick or treating.

As for Ms. Denali, the vet left a message saying that she calmed down nicely, but that just from handwalking her around she suspects that she is neurological. I gave the okay for blood work and for neck x-rays.

Damn it Denali.

I don't know if this even makes sense. It's the first time I've sat up for more than a few minutes all weekend and I'm still all drugged up. Sorry!!

24 comments:

Rebecca said...

Geez, you have horrible luck. :( I hope it improves, RAPIDLY.

I've never been kicked before, but I was in a car accident (wherein our car was totaled) a week ago, so I feel your pain about the horrible awful terrible bad soreness. Take your meds. Just trust me on this. Mine make me a little nauseous and drowsy, but when I don't take them I literally can't get out of bed (tip: leave them by your bedside so you can take them first thing when you wake up).

Here's hoping that things start look up for you and Denali. :( Feel better soon!

Mare said...

Geez! You had a rough weekend...I'm sorry you got hurt! take it easy on yourself!

Lacey said...

Wow! I am so sorry to hear you got hurt... and that there might be a neuro cause for Denali.
Take care of yourself and I hope things go good for Denali and you get all this figured out.

Gabriella Elise said...

One word: OUCH!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry - being kicked, even once, is no fun at all - please rest and feel better. Good thing she's where she needs to be and others can look after her right now - no need to worry.

Keep us updated on how you're doing. Sending good wishes to both of you.

Unknown said...

Jeeze girl! Thats a scary ordeal and your lucky it was not serious! We have always had stock trailers. If a horse is gonna freak thats where I let them there's no dividers or things they can get caught up on and seriously hurt themselves when confined.
I am glad your ok and I bet your nervous to hear the results. If it's neurological...I hope its not EPM :<

Karen said...

OH my goodness! I don't even know what to say except to send lots of hugs and jingles for both you and the mare. *hugs*

smazourek said...

HOLY CATS! You are lucky to be alive!!! I feel awful to be learning from your misfortune but I'm going to be even more careful when trailering my horses after reading this.

Something I learned the last time I visited the emergency room on a horse related injury: always get the anti-nausea meds to go along with the narcotics. Throwing up does not make you feel any better. It actually makes you feel much, much worse (who knew, right?), and when you're in that much pain you really need the narcotics.

WishIHadAHorsey said...

I am so happy you were not hurt worse!! While making sure Denali is safe is important, please make sure you take care of yourself. You and Denali are in my prayers for manageable answers over the next few days.

Becky said...

Oh. My. God. I am SO sorry! You poor thing, it is just one thing after another between you & Miss D! I hope you have a speedy recovery. I am glad (as I'm sure you are too!) you weren't hurt worse. I can't imagine how terrifying that must be. Cheyenne spooks at something and I resign myself to death, I can't imagine being trapped under her in a trailer! Good thoughts being sent your way for the both of you!

Dee said...

OUCH!
I hope that they have been able to find you a pain killer combo that works and doesn't make you puke.
I hope that the medical/work systems allows youthe tiome to recover and get what follow up treatment you require. (Here in NZ that accident would be covered by the gov't insurance co. I cannot understand the US system, so I hope that you're take care of well).
Good luck with the further work on Denali, and I'm sure you will be able to compare x-rays with her!

Nicku B said...

Oh my gosh. Wow. Feel better girl! That is just unreal! Keep us posted on you and Denali. Try to get some rest!

Unknown said...

Oh nooo... D's Mom, this is definitely not a good thing. Please take it easy for a few days to give your body time to mend. Sending prayers and jingles for you and Denali.

Mrs. Mom said...

Whne you can find the right medication cocktail that won't make you sick, you'll heal faster. Hang in there. Praying for YOU now, and also for your Denali.

Ashley said...

oh my gosh you poor poor girl!!! I hope you start to feeling better. We all do out of the oridinary things with our horses sometimes without thinking- it wasn't stupid you just didn't think she would freak out and go crazy on you. Good thing your husband was there to pull you out...I'm so glad you didn't get a head injury or anything worse! Praying for a fast recovery! Let us know if there is anything you need us to do :)

Janine said...

OMG, I am so glad you are ok! You poor girl. It also didn't help that Denali is having issues right now. I am sure she had no itent to hurt you directly. With her being scared and being neurologic, her body just reacted. Man, you are such a great mom:)! I am crying as this write this for your courage and pain. I am speechless, but hang in there. Lots of love! Enzo and Janine

Muddy K said...

Oh, for F's sake, the two of you! I'm so sorry to hear about this. Get better soon, okay? Stay on those pain meds. Denali is in good hands right now, and I'm sure you are too, but I can't even believe all of this is happening. Maybe you and D have too much in common right now. All that's missing is for you to kick someone nine times, so don't freak out when your husband loads you in the car for the trip home.

OTTB-Little Big Red said...

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I hope you and Denali are both better soon.

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

oh god........why Denali?!
Well, I guess she was scared and didn't 'see' you and certaintly freaked the F out. I'm glad your husband took u in. Take care of yourself now, Denali is in good hands too, and you need rest rest rest. xo

Gingham said...

If your drugs are half as good as they should be... I'd say that was damn near a literary masterpiece :)

Glad you're on the way to healing!! Let me know if I can help with Miss D at all (or if you need someone to pick her up while you're home..)

(still) So thankful it wasn't any worse...

hugs!

Kate said...

Aw jeez you poor thing. I was kicked just once by my old horse getting him out of the trailer and he picked the cushiest spot to aim for (my ass!) and I still whined about it for a week. I can't even imagine how scary that must have been. A thrashing horse in a trailer is traumatic enough without you being caught under it! Feel better soon. I will be sending healing thoughts to both you and your girl.

Amanda said...

OH GOSH GIRL!!!!!!!! I am so sorry that happened to you! You are so tough! I hope you heal quickly! and that Denali can be helped by the vet! You are doing all you can for her, which is the best any horse owner can do. Keeping you BOTH in my prayers for healing!

in2paints said...

Yikes!! I hope you're feeling better soon, and glad that it didn't turn out to be worse than what you're suffering with now.

Sending well wishes for a quick recovery!!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

"Want to get into the ER quickly? Come in with a horse trauma."

lol! Ain't that the truth!

I've had 4 serious horse traumas in the last 3 years, the latest two were from horse kicks....one to the face and one to the hip.

I found it interesting that your injuries happened just a day before my recent injury.

Interestingly enough I was told it was my fault for the kick in the hip, even though it was just my horse feeling her oats with the change of weather, and I happened to be walking beside her when she decided to gallop off kicking for joy. bah!

Anyway, I stumbled over here from Chrome's blog and just wanted to let you know you're not alone and we're all pulling for your gorgeous mare, Denali.
And I hope you're feeling much better now.

((((hugs)))
~Lisa