PAYNE INJURED AFTER HORSE KICK

Michelle Payne Injured at training

The incident occurred early on Tuesday morning and first report on Wednesday with Payne escaping with minor cuts to her chin and face as well as heavy bruising to both legs. 

“It wasn’t one of my own (horses), a really, really quiet horse and it got a fright … I fell underneath him and when he got a fright he panicked and kicked me in the chin and kicked me in the leg,” Payne said.

“Initially, I couldn’t get up because my leg was so sore and I thought I was being a sook, but I was able to ride more horses … the blood was coming out of my chin but was still OK.

“I went to the emergency (after track work) and they stitched me up and did a head scan, they were happy enough with my leg, it was just the bruising, like a massive corkie.”

Fortunate to have the kick avoid the upper part of the head and face Payne was able to avoid the full volume of the strike with the cushion of her chin strap from her helmet. 

With the extent of the bruising in her legs she was warned by the doctor to mindful of Compartment syndrome.

“I saw the doctor again yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at the races at Ballarat … he said to be really careful with the bruising because it‘s similar with what happened with Michael Walker,” Payne said.

“If it continues to bleed in the muscle it could be dangerous.

“I’ve been icing it flat out and it’s come down … my leg was twice the size as it is normally, at one point, but it’s definitely coming down.”

What was probably most surprising about the whole incident was the fact Payne was able ride 4 horses in trackwork before heading to the hospital. The kind of commitment that wins Melbourne Cups………………………

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