I got a job hotwalking at a racehorse barn in Lexington, Kentucky. I recommend it as a job to anyone looking to improve their horsemanship skills. If you are a showhorse person and think you know horses, try it. It is humbling. You realize you don't know all that much.
Three weeks ago today I was walking one and he decided to throw a tantrum, run backwards around me in circles, pull the shank through my hands, and kick me in the face.
He crushed the wall of my left sinus and in doing so, cracked the floor of my orbital bone. There was no concussion, and I was left standing. I remember the whole thing. I know how lucky I am. The most I have had to do is have a titanium mesh put in and have the bone built back up around it. My face should heal within a couple weeks from now and I should be back to normal!!
I have learned not to loosen my grip on the shank when it comes to racehorses. I have learned that just when I'm feeling comfortable and like I am immune to injury, they WILL show me they are to be respected. I have been a little less bold since. I have been a little nervous. I know I will get over that, but I just hope I never forget again how powerful a horse can be when suitably inspired. I have had my respect for horses restored. I wrote this to remind me never to get too cocky again. That doesn't mean that I should be afraid, just a little more cautious.
As you can see in the picture, it is not NEAR as bad as it could have been. I am lucky. I hope I am a better horsewoman because of it. Someone was looking out for me that day. There's no other explanation.
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