Broken Fibula - Again!

[BettyO]

(08-13-2012 06:25 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I believe that Mr. Kauffman has stated that some horsemen's association told him that the type of injury that Booth incurred was very common with a horse falling on its rider. I always thought, like you, that the rider would pitch over the horse's neck - but I haven't been on a horse in fifty years...

I have also heard discussions on Booth getting his left foot in the stirrup at Ford's and the horse frisking away from him before he could fully mount. He had to get her under control. Might that account for him twisting his back? Frankly, just being on a galloping nag for nigh on to six hours would make my back hurt!

Betty O is our equestrian here. Let's ask for her opinion.

As I stated before, I suspect that historians will always be divided on the issue of where Booth's leg was broken.

Hey, Laurie!

Yes, as Mr. Booth's mare was quite skittish and with one foot in the stirrup, he could very well have wrenched his back or pulled a muscle attempting to control her as he swung his body around to mount. Quite possible, although it's more or likely improbable in my mind. I've never heard of anyone wrenching their back while mounting, but it could be possible, I guess; especially if the mare is side stepping and swinging away as he attempted to mount.

I had a mare like that years ago. She had been trained as a barrel racer and I was attempting to make a jumper out of her. As soon as she felt the weight of your foot in the stirrup, she would take off! A hard to break habit and a dangerous one, too.