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Cassy FitchAmerican accountant and rider whose horse kicked her in the face
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Cassie Fitch: Surviving a Horse Hoof to the Face
- A Gruesome Injury
- Aftermath
- Recovering and Returning
- A Passion for Horses
- A Reminder
- Early Riding and Competition
Cassie Fitch: Surviving a Horse Hoof to the Face
A Devastating EncounterCassie Fitch, a 23-year-old accountant and equestrian, was left with a shattered skull and metal plates in her head after a horse's hoof struck her face. The mare, Andretti, whom Fitch had recently adopted, inflicted the injury in a moment of fright.
A Gruesome Injury
Fitch sustained a brain injury, a broken nose, and crushed sinuses after the startled horse kicked her between the eyes. The Phoenix-based accountant was knocked unconscious and remained in intensive care for over a week. She required major surgery to insert metal plates into her skull.
Aftermath
Despite making a full recovery, the equestrian experiences occasional memory problems and headaches. Fitch maintains: "I don't blame Andretti for what happened. But it's definitely had a lasting impact on me."
Recovering and Returning
"I felt like I had been hit by a train," Fitch recalls. "I have never felt pain like it in my life, and I don't think I ever will." However, her love for horses remained unwavering. Just twelve weeks after the accident, Fitch was back in the saddle.
A Passion for Horses
Today, Fitch seeks to assist in equine therapy for those facing mental and physical health challenges. "I was determined to ride again as soon as I could," she says. She believes Andretti is not at fault for the incident and continues to love the horse dearly.
A Reminder
The accident has served as a reminder of the delicate nature of working with horses. "Riding is in my blood," Fitch emphasizes. "I won't let this stop me."
Early Riding and Competition
Fitch began riding at the age of three and competed internationally in equestrian events. She owned two horses before rescuing Andretti, a six-year-old facing euthanasia, in 2014.
