Wiltshire rider overcomes brain injury after horrific fall

Wiltshire rider overcomes brain injury from horrific fall to embark on exciting new career

In April 2019, Wiltshire-based equestrian Hannah Benson suffered a horrific head injury after falling from a racehorse while working as a trainer at a racecourse. Here, Hannah tells us about her trip in the fall and how it led her to explore an exciting new career.

Hannah grew up around horses and, at 32, was a well-respected and talented rider and trainer. Working in the equine industry was the young rider’s passion, but the accident left his future in the balance.

The horrific injury left Hannah with brain damage that was evident after a 10-day induced coma. The months that followed saw an intensive period of rehabilitation, which left her with long-term fatigue, memory loss and concentration problems.

“I had to be resuscitated three times and then I was placed in an induced coma. I don’t remember anything from the month before the injury, but I knew I wanted to get back on a horse again. Racing has been an industry I’ve been in since 2015 and it’s what I knew and what made me happy.

“Being on a horse was what got me out of bed in the morning. It didn’t feel like work, so it was devastating to think that it could all be over.” Said Hannah, who was working as a motorcyclist at a race yard at the time of the accident.

The consultant at the hospital had told her it would be a year before she could return to riding, but to her relief she went to another neurological consultant privately, who said she could ride at six months.

Hannah’s first horse ride made her think about what she would like to do with her future.

With ongoing problems following the injury, her ability to study was affected, so she knew that any learning would have to be very flexible and at her own pace. Written exams would be a struggle, she said: “I actually went to a reiki session which helped my recovery and I met a lady called Wendy Vaughan who is a renowned veterinary physiotherapist. He told me he was starting an academy to train others, so I waited until it all started and was one of the first to sign up for the qualifications.

“Unlike a degree, the course is very flexible and in three stages, so I can do it at my own pace. Equine anatomy and physiology, as well as biomechanics, is where my interest has always been, so hopefully this allows me to stay engaged and interested where I tend to lose focus quite easily if it’s a completely new field.

“At first I was very worried that doing the course would leave me mentally drained and affect my ability to focus on riding and in the gym as both of these things keep me on an even keel. But even though it’s very early, it’s been great.”

Hannah is completing the first part of the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy qualification programme, which consists of regulated qualifications from the Ofqual Regulated Awarding Organisation, the iPET network. She plans to eventually become a fully qualified veterinary physiotherapist.

“With the help of this course, I was given attention again. This gave me a chance to start a new chapter using something I’m passionate about about the animals I care about so much.

“When I’m qualified, I’ll be able to work for myself, always taking things at my own pace, but working in the industry I love, and that’s such an amazing thing, because the situation I’m in works perfectly. Hannah added.

Hannah’s tutor, Wendy Vaughan, who runs the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy, said: “I’m very proud to be able to offer these qualifications to someone like Hannah, which is exactly why we built the Academy, to provide a flexible, accessible and achievable way . the road to a dream career.”