Well, he's been off a thousand times, and mostly on purpose ( a trick he used to do with his old mare), but my 11 y/o son finally got bucked off today and we thought both his ankles were broken (he landed straight down on his feet.)  No, just bad sprains according to the xrays, but he has a new respect for -- AHEM -- RIDING WITH SHOES ON!!!!!!!! 

ok, I was in the house sick, I didn't know he was out there cowboying it up!  And the horse bucked apparently because the dog nipped his heels and the other horses were jumping around......   Well, that's his story and he's sticking to it. '

I only hope he's learned something!!!!

I'm glad he's okay... hope that from now on he takes safety more seriously. Was he wearing a helmet? (I know he didn't land on his head, but still, imagine if things had gone differently...)

MMnnnn....seems like an age thing. My 11 year old daughter rides the same way a lot but came off in the pasture last year doing who knows what and that really took her down a few pegs. Hopefully your son will learn a little respect without fear. Sounds even braver then my daughter.... lol...good luck.. :D

KC,

Oh gosh...........you are sick and now you have an 11 year old boy with both ankles sprained???  Whatever will you do?

Just remember, events occur in series of 3's, and this might be the 3rd one for you.  And you still have an amazing sense of humor!  Good things will start to happen now.

hmph I should be lucky he had CLOTHES on!!! 

I will bundle up and go clean corrals tommorrow!  Most of the sick is in my throat, not fever, so I guess I can muck.  I was so looking forward to feeling sorry for myself!!!

Last month, my 14 yr old, who had never been thrown before and thought that she was 10 ft tall and bullet proof, was riding in flip flops with only a rope around the horse's neck (no saddle, halter, reins, bridle, etc) without my knowledge.  She went to let the horse out of the barn that morning and decided she would just hop on for a quick little jaunt around the pond.  Coming back the horse was feeling fresh wanting to gallop and did a little jig and off my daughter goes on her head.  A concussion, whiplash, a frantic heart-wrenching drive home from work, a panicy trip to the ER, x-rays, CAT scans, $1300 + in medical bills, a neck brace, and not riding for almost a month - she has now decided that wearing the helmet that I am always harping about might not be such a bad thing.

I am thanking God that she didn't learn her lesson in a more terrible manner.  Why do children think that we don't understand the things that they are going through?  My daughter is just amazed when it turns out that I am right most of the time.  My wisdom has been bought with the price of experience.  I learned the hard way and I didn't have someone trying to guide me away from repeating mistakes. 

Glad your son is going to be ok.

I hear things like this and think back to all the things I did as a teenager on my horse.......I would have been very happy if my daughter did not like horses. So of course she loves them and wants to make a living with them!!!!! :(

One rule I have always had is no helmet, no riding. I always wear mine so I expect her to also. I sure hope as she gets older this one rule if no other sticks when mom is not around.

My kinda kid - lol lol lol  I say that because my son was full of himself like that - lol lol lol

I remember when he was 11 and I caught him hooking a chain to back bumper of my cheap, and in a weak state, riding mower, tying the other end to the apple tree, and dumping the clutch so his buddies could watch it "pop a wheelie"  AFTER it was all said and done

You might wonder where I was because it seems he needed an eagle-eye kept on him 24/7.  I was spring-cleaning his bedroom and I THOUGHT he was mowing when it occurred to me, the mower was making a lot of noise but wasn't going anywhere 

He was a very responsible 11 year old----------until his buddies showed up on their dirt bikes and they became sharks in a mischief finding frenzie

Hope your sore throat is gone.  If not --- Mix 1 shot (or two) of Jim Beam, one shot glass of honey, in an 8 oz glass and fill the rest with water.  Warm to your liking in the microwave.  Drink it down, smack lips and say AHHHH! I feel better already

Well, boys will be boys. LOL And just so you know, he didn't learn anything from it and I'm sure will try to do it again. It's just something that is bred into little boys. My son was the same way. I'm sure you son will be sore for a long time, and wished he would of come out of it with at least one broken bone. Cause boys are crazy like that. LOL Won't make you sleep any easier at night though. HAHA