Yesterday Shuna brought her horse Max over so that we could go for a ride and discuss her project/thesis. It was a glorious day and the horses made friends immediately as did Shuna and I.
It was a bit like taking the rough with the smooth, since Max is all beautifully clipped and trimmed and Theoden, well, isn't. We rode out from Fritham and all along the back tracks to Eyeworth Pond, all the time chatting away happily with the horse swinging along.
Unfortunately as we were halfway up the hill from the Eyeworth track I was just about to interrupt Shuna to say "Stop, the ground looks a bit dodgy here..." when Max and then Theoden plunged into a bog. Theoden managed to struggle to solid ground where I could get off but Max was in up to his chest. It's at times like this that I thank the Horse God for the Hampshire Animal Rescue Team as a quick phone call on 999 had them on their way and meant that I could keep calm and know that ultimately they would get us out of this mess.
I told Shuna to get off and to stand back away from Max so that he could just rest and the two of us talked quietly while she went forward to take his saddle off and I stroked his neck. In time he re-charged his batteries and he chose to try to get out. He managed one movement and then rested again. We didn't hassle him or encourage him in any way other than to allow him to rest knowing that while he was still he was safe. In three separate (and I admit worrying) movements he got to the solid ground where he rested until he had the energy to heave himself out and once he was out we could see that he was absolutely fine.
We waited until we were on consistently solid ground before cancelling the Animal Rescue Team and then we walked them part way home carrying just their tack before getting on board for the last bit. Then it was home for Max and a warm shower before being turned out in his rug as usual at night. This way (and the same for Theoden) they could walk off any lactic acid and stiffness.
It seems that we had done most of the right things although I hadn't thought to call the vet and I was reliant on Shuna's phone because mine had run out of battery so I had left it at the yard. I felt very shaky when I phone the emergency services although I wasn't openly panicking, and I found it very difficult to explain where we were.
There are TWO GIANT LESSONS in all of this. The first is about being aware of bogs and the second of what to do in an emergency.
BOG OFF!
- Signs of boggy ground -No paths or pony poo present; hillocks like grassy mole hills; grass spongy and very light green;
- Remember that bogs can be anywhere and not just at the bottom of hill as you might expect;
- Pay attention and don't be afraid of calling attention to dodgy ground!
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
- Always have a mobile phone on you;
- Get yourself safe and then phone 999 and ask for the Fire Service and then the Animal Rescue Team;
- Always be aware more or less of where you are on a ride so that you can give good instructions as to your whereabouts;
- Phone your own vet if you are close to home and get them to come out straight away - they may well be needed to sedate or anaesthetise;
- Keep calm and quiet - and don't hassle the horse - while he is still, he is safe;
- Keep yourself safe and away from the horse's legs in particular;
- If the horse can be contained, contain him;
- Have an eye as to where the horse can go so that he is safe once he has been extricated;
- Make sure that you have some sort of egress if he does start to struggle to free himself.
"Thanks for your tip about the bog. I am glad it was a good outcome and will be
passing your advice on" LW. Cornwall
