Wiltshire based equestrian overcomes brain injury following horrific fall

Wiltshire based equestrian overcomes brain injury following horrific fall and embarks on exciting new career path

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 racing yard. Here, Hannah tells us of her journey since the fall and how it’s led her to study an exciting new career.

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

The horrific injury led to Hannah sustaining brain damage that was apparent following a 10-day induced coma. The months that followed saw an intensive rehabilitation period, which has left her with long-term fatigue, memory loss and concentration problems. 

“I had to be resuscitated three times and then was placed in an induced coma. I can’t remember anything from the month before the injury but I just knew I wanted to get back on a horse again. Racing was an industry I had 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 all that could be over.” Said Hannah, who was working as an exercise rider in a racing yard at the time of the accident.

“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 all that could be over.”

Hannah Benson

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

Hannah’s first ride back on a horse got her thinking 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 need to be very flexible and at her own pace. Written exams would be a struggle, she said: “I was actually at a reiki session which was helping my recovery, and I met a lady called Wendy Vaughan who is a renowned Veterinary Physiotherapist. She told me that she was setting up an academy to train others, so I waited until that all started and was one of the first to join the qualifications. 

“Unlike a degree, the course is really flexible and in three stages, so I can do it at my own pace. Anatomy and physiology of horses, as well as biomechanics, is where my interest has always lied, so I’m hoping this allows me to keep engaged and interested where I tend to lose my focus quite easily if it’s a completely new area. 

“At first I was really worried that doing the course would leave me mentally exhausted and affect my ability to focus on my riding and the gym, as both of those things keep me on an even keel. But even though it is very early days it has been wonderful.”

Hannah is completing the first part of the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy’s qualification programme, which consists of regulated qualifications from the Ofqual-regulated Awarding Organisation, iPET Network. She plans to eventually become a fully qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist. 

“With the help of this course, I have been given a focus again. This has provided me with a chance to start a new chapter using something I am passionate about on animals I care a great deal about.

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

Hannah’s tutor Wendy Vaughan, who runs the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy, said: “I am very proud to be able to offer these qualifications to someone like Hannah, this is exactly the reason I built the Academy, to offer a flexible, accessible and achievable route to a dream career.”