10/06/2026
So… where have I been for the past EIGHT weeks?
Well, let's just say I had a rather unexpected interruption to my riding plans. 😂
On August 5th, I was getting ready for a riding lesson with my horse, Spun Pretty. We hadn't even started yet when my trainer, Adrianne, accidentally stepped on a whip with flags attached. It flipped up like a cartoon rake that hits someone in the face, and sent Spun launching into the air like a Lipizzaner.
I was just sitting there relaxing, completely unprepared.
And then I was on the ground.
I landed hard on my right side. It turns out I did a pretty thorough job of breaking myself: clavicle, ribs 2–11 (most in multiple places), two fractures in my back, and a small puncture in one lung.
Apparently, if you're going to have an accident, you might as well be thorough. 🤦♀️😂
I ended up in the hospital, was transferred to Hillcrest, spent time in the ICU, and had surgery on my clavicle early Thursday morning.
The first couple of weeks were rough. The pain was pretty much nonstop—often an 8 or 9 out of 10, even with medication. I spent most of my time flat on my back and needed Jim's help just to sit up. Once I was standing, I could walk, but only for a few minutes before the pain became unbearable.
I felt like a jellyfish.
Not exactly the glamorous dressage lifestyle I had envisioned. 😂
Thankfully, things are MUCH better now. At eight weeks, most things are beginning to feel almost normal, although my back is still giving me a hard time.
Jim has taken me on a few country drives just to get me out of the house. And recently, we stopped at the barn.
Spun was SO happy to see me. ❤️
She kept nuzzling me, and I remembered how, right after my fall, she walked over while I was still on the ground and sniffed me all over. She was clearly worried about me.
That little moment has stayed with me.
So that's where I've been—healing, resting, and trying to be patient with a recovery that's taking longer than I expected.
I'm not quite back to my old routine yet, but I'm getting there.
And, yes… I'm still horse crazy!. 🐴❤️
Nancy
