I was in a pretty bad training accident on Friday morning at Classy Lane Training Centre. My colt spooked from the tractor and I collided head on with another horse that was going a training mile.
I can remember the seconds before the collision but I don't remember any of the rest of it. Apparently I went flying from the jogger and hit the ground hard. My horse got loose and the other horse was all over me. There were people very close on the track that say it was horrible to watch and could have been a lot worse. They say I was laying unconscious on the track for five minutes before the ambulance arrived. I had a slight concussion and have a broken arm but luckily the CAT scan was ok.
The point I want to make here is that I was not wearing a helmet. I always wear one in the racebike but I thought it wasn't necessary to wear a helmet while jogging or training in the jog cart. I was wrong. I was very, very lucky in this case that I wasn't killed or that I didn't sustain a serious head injury. I will wear a helmet at all times now while on the track and I urge everyone else to do the same. An incident like mine can happen so fast. Do it for yourself and for the people who care about you.
The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.
Carelesness usually leads
Carelesness usually leads leads to regrets. What about the other horse and driver? An experienced horseman should know better. A lesson well learned. Hopefully all training centres will make helmets with chin straps attached mandatory.
Sorry you had to be part of a
Sorry you had to be part of a 'teachable moment'. Here's hoping others learn from your misfortune and that you have a speedy recovery.
Glad your OK, Jack. By other
Glad your OK, Jack. By other accounts it was a very serious accident that could have been worse. I want to wish you a speedy recovery.
Glad to hear that you are ok
Glad to hear that you are ok Jack. Helmets are a must on our training track and they have to be done up too! All the best in your recovery.
It’s a factored part of the
It’s a factored part of the business that we’ve all heard stories of multiple times. Each time an incident arises soon after complacency sets back in a few short weeks after. By you penning this article (Jack) with yourself being a prominent recognized industry name should bare more weight to create a much needed awareness for the cause of safety at all times. I for one applaud your courage to write this article and sincerely wish you a full and speedy recovery.
Never like to hear this sort
Never like to hear this sort of thing. I am glad you are well enough to write the blog. Concussion is a tricky thing. To all my trainers who say I need to get in the bike and experience this-forget it.
Georg Leber