OK, so the Chimp is scared of horses, but maybe with good reason.

[JohnyCanuck]

We know Dubya has a powerful sense of self preservation (witness his draft dodging in the Viet Nam era), so maybe he's just playing it smart to stay off of horses too (even though Karl would've killed for a picture of Dimson riding the range on horseback a la Ronnie Regan).

Uneasy riders: Horses riskier than motorcycles
Hour-per-hour more equestrians are seriously hurt, study shows

ANDRÉ PICARD

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

September 24, 2007 at 3:50 AM EDT

Hour-per-hour in the saddle, more riders are seriously injured riding horses than motorcycles.

That is the surprising revelation of a new study from researchers at the University of Calgary.

Equally surprising is that those being hurt and killed are not rookie equestrians but, in large part, veteran riders.

"If you're 47 years old, a good experienced rider and it's sunny out, you can still get seriously hurt or die," said Rob Mulloy, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary and co-author of the study.

The reason this happens, he said, is that "horses are independent beings with their own agenda." Not to mention that horses weigh up to 500 kilograms, move at a speed of up to 65 kilometres an hour, elevate riders up to three metres above ground and kick with a force of nearly one ton.

The research, published in the American Journal of Surgery, is based on a decade of trauma data collected at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070924.whorses24/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

[sandnsea]

1. Kerry rides both

and went to Vietnam too.

But wait, he's effete, because he windsurfs and snowboards too. :crazy:

And that was Democratic MEN who bought into this bullshit.

[durtee librul]

2. Just remember Bush falls off bikes too....n/t

[hlthe2b]

3. Many of the best equestrians are women... who have no trouble

handling a 1200 pound horse "with its own agenda." On the other hand, the most athletic of human beings on foot or riding a bicycle or vespa stands no chance at all against the average two ton mid-sized SUV driven by a moron "with its own agenda" (or talking on a cell phone).

Life is inherently risky.

[eleny]

4. Oh, I thought maybe he got kicked in the side of the head by a pony

[hlthe2b]

7. He did...(or so he thinks)

but that was actually Bab's bucking birth canal...:evilgrin:

[eleny]

12. Listen to this...

A couple of years ago someone posted here that "the best part of w ran down Babs's leg during his birth". That's the moment I knew I found a home here at DU.

And your reply is right up there with the best of 'em. :spray:

[Hobarticus]

8. Strangely enough, it was a bizarre mountain-biking accident...

He came around a blind corner on a bike trail, and ran head-long into a horse and rider, going the same way.

His head was lodged firmly in the horse's ass. Sadly, the horse had to be put down, as his head could not be removed. He wears the horse's ass proudly on his shoulders, like many combat veterans still carry shrapnel in their bodies.

Thankfully, it hasn't prevented him from executing the duties of his office.

[angrycarpenter]

5. been thrown twice

I would get right back in the saddle but then I am not ruled by my fears.

[JuniperLea]

9. Me too!

The first time, age five when a saddle wasn't cinched properly... it slid and I'm pretty sure it was my screaming that spooked the horse.

The second time, age 16, when I said 'whoa' and pulled back on the reigns, the horse stopped... on a dime... I took an unscheduled flight over the horse's head. I brushed myself off, hopped back on, and rode her the rest of the afternoon.

There could be a third time coming... who knows! But I love a good ride... oh yes, I certainly do!

[JuniperLea]

6. eh...

Anyone, of any age, with any experience, can be hit by a truck whilst crossing the road.

It doesn't matter how rich you are either... the wife of a former employer, multi-billionaire, was hit by a delivery truck while she walked her dog... we are all human beings and we are all fragile.

[opihimoimoi]

10. The WIMP....he is scared of his shadow.....Not courageous at ALL

He LIES

He Cheats

He Pretends

He Distorts

He Cannot WRITE...not to mention sing/play instruments

He cannot hold a Hammer correctly and not to mention nailing a 6 penny nail with 4 strokes...or less.

Forget about reading a tape rule so he can cut the damn 2x4 the right size....Hopeless around the house/yard guy

Talks to us citizens like he is talking to 4th graders...fuck his condenscending style....

Inspiring??? Forget that one too...

Bush is a LOSER and HE KNOWS IT....

and forget WIT....talk about witless..thats him...

[Donnachaidh]

11. and I wouldn't be surprized to see most of the injuries happen to

inexperienced riders.

Horses are NOT bumpercars, you cannot just get on one and go, and expect it to be like riding in a car. Too many people with the *six flags* mentality get hurt, because they are not paying attention to the terrain, and to the creature they are riding. If you don't have a good instructor, or if you don't LISTEN to your instructor - you run a very real risk of getting hurt.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprized if any horse Bush has been around has tried to bite or strike him. They sense fear pretty handily. I've had a few that picked out mean bastards too.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

13. Silly me.

I thought he was afraid of horses because they are better educated than he is.

[NV Whino]

14. it's no crime to be afraid of horses unless

if you call yourself a cowboy.