Voices From The Comeback Trail

for his generous attitudeif anyone needs help putting a boot back on or goes off trail Dave is there to help.
Dave Rabe who has logged more than 76000 miles in endurance events learned the hard way how important a riding helmet can be. Photo by William GoreRene Baylor Photography
All was well until that fateful December day at the Death Valley Pioneer endurance ride in 2013 when Dave was dumped by his horse White Cloud at the startand landed on his head. He cracked his skull and was hospitalized for 2 ½ months with multiple brain bleeds leading many to question his longterm prognosis for riding again. But he eventually recovered and was back ridingon the same horse that dumped himsix months later. I had no fear of riding and no loss of confidence in any way he recalled. However he did later elect to have surgery to resolve a brain hematoma that was causing constant headaches.
A lesson learned
It took me 50000 miles of endurance to figure out I needed a helmet Dave quipped. Since the accident he has recorded 18000 miles wearing protective headgear.
Daves top three tips for making a comeback The first thing I would recommend after a horse accident is to wear a helmet. The second thing I would say is have confidence and dont be scared because you know you can ride. And the third thing would be to make sure you are riding with somebody.
Since his accident he has broken one helmet and has had five or six incidents where he came off his horse and hit his head. I can definitely say the helmet saved me from more serious injuries. Every time I come off my horse on my head I automatically get a new helmet.