It could have been so much worse

[colmworthdales]

I had a scary few seconds this morning, but luckily I escaped completely unscathed. I had to pop out to local Farm Shop this morning to pick up some smart biscuits as I was hosting a committee meeting at my house. On my way to the shop I noticed two skewbald 13.2 - 14.0hh ponies I did not recognize tearing around a small paddock so decided I would slow down on my way back and have a look at them. There was no sign of them in that paddock, but when I got to the other side of the house I saw them charging across a bigger grass meadow towards the road. Too late I noticed the gate onto the road was partially open and before I could stop they had charged right through and out onto the road. One came straight into the side of the car, rocking it severely. Luckily it bounced off and they both disappeared at a canter up the road. I pulled into the side, left my hazard lights on, briefly inspected the car - dents in the panels - and tried to pursue them up the road. Luckily the owner's husband and son soon appeared and knew where were going - to a friend about 400 yards up the lane. I went back to my car, turned it round and went to check the ponies had been caught, and if one was injured. They had been cornered when I got to them and seemed fine. They soon settled down enough to be led back home. The vet was called and the mare who hit me seems OK but obviously bruised.

On inspecting my car more carefully I noticed there was also a dent in the pillar beside the windscreen so if I had been just a few feet further back when the pony hit me, it could have so easily finished up on the bonnet and gone through the windscreen which could have been very serious for us both.

Luckily the owner was insured and so is now in the hands of the insurance companies. I will get a courtesy car while the damage is repaired.

When I texted my daughters with this tale of woe, the younger one's comment was - you always said biscuits were bad for you! I had to agree with her on this occasion.

[harveydales]

OMG that could have ended very differently! It must have given you a hell of a shock!

[Debbie]

I have to now agree with your daughter...biscuits are bad for you, eep!

I'm so glad you and the ponies are unscathed as you say, it could have been so much worse. I'm so glad the vet came to check them over too. I get so mad when the owners in my area believe the animal is fine because it's not obviously bleeding :: I've no doubt the mare will be sore for a few days, but when you think about how much worse it could have gone... it reminds me of Vanda saying, "There but for the grace of God go I."

Please, be gentle with yourself for the next few days too you might find once the adrenaline leaves, you might be left feeling a tad sore and bruised as well. Impacts can leave you tired as your body repairs itself.

Did the owners give any insight as to why the ponies were being like nutters? Spring frillies? Maybe a missing companion? Seeing their mates up the road behaving like dorks? just curious as to why they bolted like that.

[nedales]

Poor ponies, poor you and so glad everyone was able to walk off relatively unscathed. A pony hitting a car hard enough to dent it is an injured fella. We have that with deer leaps too frequently and while it's fatal for the deer, it's not very good new for the car passengers.

[yanny]

That's so scary, I can't believe the pony did that to your car! Like you say it could've been so much more serious. At least your car can be fixed and the ponies were just bruised. The poor things!

[colmworthdales]

Thanks for the lovely comments. I have no idea why the ponies were spooked as I think they use those fields quite a lot. The house belongs to an elderly relation, and apparently he left the gate open! I hope they check all the gates in future before turning out the animals.

I was a bit tired last night but had had a busy day without all that extra excitement.  I took Mollie to her lovely trainer in the afternoon - she is having weekly schooling sessions and going so much better.  Yesterday she had a break from schooling and was popping tiny poles and jumps which she much enjoyed.  Didn't try to stop once and although bashed a few poles, she was not put off by the noise, and cleared them well on the next try.  Clever little girl cos she has not been asked to jump for over a year - I always loved jumping but sadly have made the decision not to jump again because I know I would take a long time to mend if I had a nasty fall.

My car is being repaired by a big well-known car repairing firm but unfortunately cannot be collected until next Monday. The car is quite drivable as it is only panel damage, but I will not try to open the slightly bent back door as it may well not shut again. I have the grandsons coming for the weekend so have a fair bit of driving to do, so I will not go fast in case anything starts to rattle!

[dalesnfellfan]

Thank God you'd slowed down for a look, it definitely could have been much worse, so pleased to hear that you are OK if a little shaken, and that no real damage was done to pony or car.
Your very lucky the ponies were owned by someone responsible and were insured and not by travellers which could have been a nightmare.

About 18mts ago travellers ponies escaped onto the A14 near Ipswich at night and were hit by several cars, 2 ponies were killed but more seriously one driver was killed and several others seriously injured.

Nice to hear Mollie's doing well and enjoying her jumping, she's such a lovely pony.

[yanny]

Aww the ponies' owner had a senior moment!
Hopefully he/she will be more careful though from now on! Bless

[zeldalithgow]

Thank goodness you and the ponies were ok, what a fright to get

[valerie n scout]

Good lord you were very lucky X fancy blaming the poor innocent biccies !