Kicked by a horse ( Part 1)

That day was one that I will never forget and never will for I still carry the injury a constant reminder of the dangers of working on a cattle station.

It was a few years ago now on a cattle station in the Northern Territory and it was the mustering season. A time to round up the cattle that had been living out in the paddocks , mind you when I say paddock. I'm saying a paddock that is almost the size of Belgium so helicopters are used to bring in the cattle as well as horses and trail bikes it is hot ,dusty and at times dangerous work especially for the helicopter pilots. 

The pilots fly the choppers so low cutting out the cattle from the scrub they almost hitting the trees and  a few have crashed over the years not much room for error some of the best pilots I have seen have been women they just have that fine touch.

The day had begun just like any other of the muster a big breakfast and a mug of tea as the Flying Doctor Sevice announced over the radio that they were on for the day as they do 6am every morning.

Then it was time to mount up and bring in the mob the one thing that I did differently that day was that I had swapped horses as the one a new jackaroo had was getting a bit wild so I gave him mine as you have a bomb go off near him he wouldn't fuss.

Did I say that the horse was a bit wild? 

Well that is partly true before the muster begins we have to bring in the horses who have been quite happily running free in the bush and some do not take to kindly to been made to work. After all why would you want to work after having all that freedom doing what you want?

This particular brute was a handful wanting to bolt at any given moment but I was able to keep him in check any rate myself and another bloke headed off to meet a mob that a chopper was bringing towards us. 

Cantering along nice and easy we were when all of sudden my started to buck all over the place trying his best to throw me off , well he could buck all he wants I wasn't going anywhere I have horses try but none has ever managed to throw me .

In fact I kind of enjoy the ride just go with the flow and you will stay on and they give up eventually and are usually a lot tamer after.

This one was was no different after a while he got tired and gave up trying to throw me off because he had bucked so suddenly I had let go of one of the reins as I had been riding with split reins ( another thing that I had done differently usually I have them together as one ) .

Now trying to retrieve the rein the horse kept turning his head away so was unable to grab the rein, so dismounted grabbed the rein pulled his head towards his body as I went to remount he suddenly pulled away. Could not not hold him so I let him go and as the horse turned he kicked and got me.

Down I went thought he got me in the stomach the other stockman Stew was his name came up to see if I was alright.

I said yeah I'm fine the bastard got me in the gut but give me a few minutes then I'll be right .

Stew got on the radio telling the boss that I was down I told Stew not worry about just get on with the job so off he went then the boss arrived with my horse then I stood up and well it was then I realised that my injury was more serious than I thought you see my hip seemed to be moving around around more than it should.

Back down I went and the boss was not happy for he turned the air blue with his swearing and rode off leaving me there lying in the paddock.