YOUR COMMENTS

There were multiple people around the ponies at all time. You should not talk about people that were guiding when you were not there to see for yourself.
- Jessica, Auburn Nh

Grabbing reins is NOT for a 4 year old to do. The handler needed to have a firm grip on the reins while leading the pony around. The boy needed to hold the saddle horn & cantle to keep a secure seat in the event of an emergency.
- Debra, Manchester

While I hope the boy is going to be okay, I am glad they don't have these things in Manchester. Anything relating to horses is dangerous, they're very skittish animals fine one second, the next they get very frightened. While I realize it was a pony there should have been more than one person involved in giving these rides.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

After reading this story and then the comments, it appears as though many people think they know better than the emergency personnel on the scene. Who is anyone to say this little boy did not need to be med flighted? If this were my son, I would want him brought to the most appropriate hospital in the quickest way possible. Emergency crews had no way of knowing the extent of his injuries and being so young, I am quite sure they made the best decision at that time.
My prayers are with this little guy and his family!
- K. Williams, Manchester, NH

we have only one, level 1 trauma center for adults and pediatrics in NH. Dartmouth. Level 1 means that everyone is there, all the time, waiting for horses to fall on kids. No one has to be called in for the emergency. The level 2 centers throughout the state could have handles this emergency. There is some controversy currently about level 2 vs level 3. I did not know the DART chopper now can fly from Manchester, good. it was bad practice to have it trapped up North all the time. We need to have a discussion in NH about emergency care. The public also has to participate by knowing all hospitals do not , can not provide the same level of care. That means, be careful out there.
- mike, exeter

The reality is this was a four year old child, and the responders ON SCENE took action that while it can be deemed overzealous by those not there or trained, was in line with the age of the child, and the possible severity of the situation.
- Charles, Manchester NH

While I completely agree that accidents do happen, you wouldn't ever know it if you read the Union Leader Reader Comments in recent stories. I'm surprised no one is calling for anti-pony chemical sprays in towns that might have ponies in them.

Hope the little boy is ok though. Always sad when an accident happens.
- Patrick, goffstown

Hope the boy is ok, Its not relatively safe, People are injured by horses daily. Hope Mr. Wheeler is Insured...... Otherwise my taxes are going up .
- bob, auburn

So i was right there at the ponies there were infact reins for the child to grab onto and about the volunteers there are nothing that they did wrong so get facts straight before you start talking about people and after this happened the female volunteer did not walk a pony anymore and was terrified so since you were not there do not talk about them
- J, auburn nh

As a close friend to the family. I will say that the boy is doing fine. He is just a little shook up about what happened, but he will pull through. As another witness to the situation, there where reins on the horse, but the boy never grabbed them. He was only holding on to the horn of the saddle. The women who was leading him lost control and wasn't sure what was happening. As far as everyone wondering why he didn't go to one of the near by Hospitals. It is because they don't have the proper equipment for a child his age and instead of getting him to the Elliot or CMC. They decided to make one trip for the boy. If they found something wrong at the Manchester Hospitals, they would of had to fly him to Boston anyways. I think they did a great job and they had a full staff waiting for him apon his arrival. And from what I was told it only took them 10 minutes from Auburn to Boston. I feel he got the best care and lucky for him he is able to ride another day.
- Donna, Raymond

Hopefully the boy as well as the pony are going to be OK. The pony must have really been spooked to have reacted that way, as these ponies are used to the fair atmosphere and children.
- Chris, Concord

As we all know accidents can & do happen. Our hearts and prayers go out to the little boy and his family.
- S, Auburn

Sending prayers and wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the little boy.

Just two quick side notes:
1 A 500-800 lb. animal falling on top of a 4-yr old child after slamming him to the ground, most certainly commands full blown emergency response. It is a great comfort to know the emgency team responded quickly, and provided the best possible care for this child. Thank you emergency repsonse team!

2. To those naysyers - I am certainly glad you are not in charge of the well-being of any of my family members!
- Deb, Pelham

I was also at the Auburn fair yesterday with my grandson and he rode the ponies. There were in fact reins on the ponies as we were instructed not to touch them so I can attest that they were in fact there. Animals are very unpredictable and like SB of Londonderry said "when they are done they are done". Who knows what spooked this pony and thank God the little boy is going to be okay. A big thank you should be given to the medics as well as all on scene who helped out. My heart goes out to the boy and the handler.
- Kim, Auburn, NH

Actually Manchester hospitals are not even close to Boston Hospitals for care. My son was Elliot Hospital and they (the hospital) told me they did not have the resources to take of my son and they needed to transport him out of the hospital to Lebanon or Boston. They said there first pick was Lebanon but no room. We got to Boston and had 10 doctors waiting for us to help my son!! Yeah Boston is much better and they do have more resources then Elliot or CMC.
- Sara, Manchester, NH

We were on a family outing to a very well known farm last year with our grandchildren. We were about to get them pony rides and I noticed one of the pony's acting up a little just before my grandkids went on. I asked that they ride on the other pony and thank god I did! The pony that was acting up starting taking off up a path barn, nearly dragging the handler with a child riding it. It took a couple of handlers to get it under control. They explained that was the way back to the barn, and just like people---when they have had enough---they've had enough. It wasn't spooked, just tired. I'm praying the little boy is well in a "Children's" Hospital in Boston. We don't have one locally, the closest is either Boston or all the way up to Exit 19 of RT 89. I know---I was a parent of a terminally ill child, and had to either drive 90 miles or 60 miles depending on which hospital was treating my child at the time.
- SB, Londonderry

Was this Boston MedFlight or the new DHART based out of Manchester? Either way, makes no sense they failed to transport him to the nearest Trauma Center...IN MANCHESTER, ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY! Happy to hear this little boy is doing well. He didn't need that long flight before he got care however.
- Bob, Candia

Paul and joy he was 4 years old with a possible hip fracture you going to put him in an ambulance to manchester then wait longer for a helicopter there thats pointless
- Jessica, auburn nh

As a friend of this family who was a witness, there are a few errors in this story. There were no reins for the boy to hold on to, merely a saddle horn.
Mr.Wheeler was NOT the handler of the pony, it was a "30-something" female volunteer from Auburn. Also, Mr Wheeler did not close down the pony rides. They continued for at least an hour after this happenned with the SAME pony. To Joy and Paul..if your 4 year old child was in an ambulance with a possible fractured pelvis, fluid in the lungs and possible internal bleeding...does this not rate a Med Flight trip? He received the BEST medical treatment possible and we would not want it any different. Thank you both for your kind wishes to this 4 year old's health.
- Lynn, Auburn

This little boy is my next door neighbor.What is most disturbing is how the handler and the owner of the horses handled the situation.It was like it was no big deal to them.As for Med
Flight,It was the Medic who has final decision on the boys status,and is also his decision to do what is in the best interest to make sure nothing is seriously wrong with him.They have no x-ray,or mri machines on board the ambulance,so it lays on who has the best care.We all know Boston is the best for care,not to take anything from Manchester hospitals.Personaly if it was my son, i would not have any issue with the care they administered.As for the boy,he is on his way home as we speak this afternoon.One lucky boy.My hats off to all the personell whom handled the incident,very professional.Lets just hope the owner of the horses mans up and offers some sort of help to the family for thier medical bills.
- Rob, Auburn nh

Unfortunately things like this do happen with horses. It's not the animal's fault, they do get spooked and there is little to prevent it. Sometimes trying to talk to the horse will calm them enough, but it sounds like in this case no one knew it was coming. I feel bad for the poor little boy, I am happy he will recover, and also for the pony and handler.
- MLD, Litchfield

I was actually there when it happened and i am also hoping the little boy is ok and they dont start pointing fingers.
- Jessica, Auburn

If his injuries were non-life threatening why was he flown in a med-flight. What if it was needed for a life-threatening case but it was tied up for a few hours because some small town fire department wants to put on a show!
- Paul, Nashua

I really hope this boy is ok. I was at a fair a few years ago and saw the same thing happen to a little girl while we were in line waiting for a pony ride and just like Sara said...animals are so unpredictable. You really don't know. The article said the little boy had the reins and all it takes is a second for the child to just tug one little bit for the horse to rear and something like this to happen. My thoughts go out to the boy and I wish him the best.
- Caroline, Auburn, NH

Sara, I would argue that it's a "relatively safe" activity. Compared to what? Statistically, horseback riders are more often injured than MOST other sports. Granted, this is just a pony ride, but never the less, as you point out, animals are unpredictable. I say all this, with the caveat that I am a horse owner!
- Dino, Derry

In so many recent stories, injured persons are being "flown by helicopter to a Boston hospital". What's happened to our hospitals in NH? Are they not up to the task?

And, shy not send them to Boston by amubulance when possible? It takes much longer to wait for the helicopter to be staffed and dispatched to the injured person.

Medflightsshould be used for the true traumas and are life threatening. In none of these stories was in stated that the injuries were life threatening, serious, but not life threatening.
- Joy, Bedford

Poor kid. I remember pony rides being a highlight of going to the fair. Animals are unpredictable. I hope people don't start passing blame around for a relatively safe and fun activity.
- Sara, Londonderry