yeah , I do know a lot off people who have had serious spinal fractures and serious injuries .. i have fallen off hundreds of times ( I used to ride at least 8 times a week , have broken youngsters in and worked on a show jumping yard ..) but never been seriously injured so far ( broken ribs , fingers , toes , foot , torn ligaments in my knee ...) , its funny as I tell hubby he cannot have a motor bike as its not safe .. then I get up on an animal with its own ( often stubborn) idea of where and when its going .. he always says riding a horse is like riding a motorbike where someone has cut the brake cables and the steering is wonky ....