In the spring of 2012, I'd just come back from working in Texas all winter training horses, giving lessons and leading trail rides. I took a job managing the horse department at a lovely ranch in North Central Colorado. We had 30 + head of horses, all fresh off a long winter in the high country. I'd moved my three mares there, and was settling in looking forward to a terrific summer of riding, helping people with their horses and training.
I had a young horse on the lunge line and as near as I can remember he came across the arena at me and kicked me in the right side of my face.
I came-to with paper towel on my face with no one around. I was walking, surveying the gates and horses to make sure everything was in order, and then I decided to sit down in a chair in the arena.
I noticed my radio and figured I’d better call someone. I radioed my boss telling him I’d been kicked in the face, he’d better steal himself, cuz I figured it wasn’t going to be pretty, but would he come and get me? (I still marvel at my calm, collected delivery, shocky ? probably).
The ranch was quite a distance from any services so a pickup ride was in order to a local clinic. I remember bleeding on the truck seat, feeling terrible about it and moving forward, noticing blood dripping onto the floorboards. (that seemed more forgiving)
A Flight for Life helicopter ride to Denver got me to St. Anthony’s Hospital where I was so well taken care of.
I’m a survivor, and have been the caregiver in enough wilderness accidents that I took care of myself well until others were ready to do it for me. It was a relief and I gave in, I went in and out of consciousness.
I met my Miracle Worker plastic surgeon Dr. Craig Reynolds while lying on the gurney, he disclosed all the horrible things that could happen to me while in surgery.
With eyes closed, I reached up for his hand and said “ I believe in the Law of Attraction and The Power of Intention, please hold nothing but the absolute best outcome for me.”
He’s kind of an old curmudgeon, and doesn’t have the best of bedside manner so on the day of my discharge, when he admitted that I’d brought him to do his “highest and best work” he’d done in 29 years ~ wow~ what a gift he gave me!
I hadn’t even begun to explore the severity of my injury, later I learned that my right cheek bone was crushed in and my right eye was nearly knocked out of my head, it was anyone’s best guess if I would be able to see out of it.
I now have 46 screws and 8 plates in my face. On this date December 11, 2012, I still see double and have a 1.8 gram gold weight in my right eye to help close my lid due to the nerves being cut.
I’ve had 7 months to recuperate, and I’m a ways away from being finished, there are still surgeries to come.
What I want you readers to know and understand about me is this: I’m a teacher, a guide and passionate about horses and people.
Because of that, I thought it was time to start up my clinics while still in Texas, but hadn't come up with a name I liked yet. I was enjoying giving a private riding clinic to a dear friend Maria who was my main inspiration and want to give her credit. We reflected that many women over 40 desired to get back in shape, get back to horses and expand their horizons. "North of 40" just seemed to work.
I’d put off officially "showing up" as a clinician for over 15 years, and might have put it off longer, but I think fate stepped in and said now or never sister !!
This incident hasn't made me scared, made me lose my confidence or at any moment made me second guess my life riding and training horses. In fact, while riding, all pain I'm experiencing dissapears.. the Power of the Mind, eh???
By example, I hope I'll encourge women who've doubted themselves to take a deep breath and get back in the saddle. To take that leap of faith and get comfortable loping, going out on the trail or heading into the show pen with the spot light on you.
My message to ALL of US, is don’t let doubt or fear stop you !! If you think horses mean anything to you, bringing you closer to being who you really are, empowering you while challenging you, then let me help you.
I've had six months off without riding, lots of sleep, pain pills and watching over 60 movies while “nested” in my Cimarron Living Quarters horse trailer.
I’ve been on this planet 60 years and started riding at the age of 8. Granted, it took me a lot of sore muscles and a passing thought once in a while if I could get back to competition and clinics. Thanks to practicing Yoga for half of my life, my body has responded well.
I have a loving and supportive family of friends, horse people and not, that believe in me. I will be there to believe in you as well. And PLEASE don’t think you have to have had an injury to work with me.
My training specializes in starting women from ground zero to taking them to the show pen in Reined Cow Horse, Cutting and Reining.
I can also help you with success out on the trail, packing on overnighters or just being a better Leader and Friend to your horse.
Finally, Women teaching Women has a different dynamic, there are a lot of men clinicians out there but not enough of us women. We have a different way of approaching horses, different physical abilities and generally fall in love with horses more than men do, wouldn’t you say?
I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you who would like to join me in the journey. Please "Like" North of 40 Horse Women on Face Book and I’ll be starting to travel to your arenas to do clinics in the very near future.
