An experienced rider and veterinarian, Dr. Dan McIlhany set off on a morning ride on his 16-year-old horse, Tweed. What happened next led to a trip to University Hospital and a lengthy recovery. Still, Dr. McIlhany said he blames himself, not his horse, for the mishap — and offers his experience as a cautionary tale to other riders. Dr. Dan McIlhany knows plenty about animals. The 72-year-old veterinarian commutes to his North San Antonio animal clinic each morning from his ranch in Welfare, where he keeps cattle, miniature donkeys and lots of other animals — including Tweed, his 16-year-old Appaloosa horse. In April, Dr. McIlhany took Tweed for a morning ride, mounting him bareback as he sometimes did. What was unusual this time was that he also skipped putting a bridle on the horse. The route across the 75-acre property was well known to both horse and rider. After a short distance, however, Tweed began to pick up speed. “He took off with me,” Dr. McIlhany said. “We went from trot to gallop to run. And even though I’m 72, I still feel comfortable at all those gaits. But I came off-center on him, and then to a point of no return. I knew I was coming off of him. ” From his injuries, Dr. McIlhany believes “he hit me in the head with his front hoof, which is shoed. And then I landed on the ground.” He waved down his wife, who was leaving for work. They drove to Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville, the closest hospital, where he underwent a CT scan that showed bleeding in the brain. He was quickly transferred by AirLife to University Hospital’s Level I trauma center. While his injuries were extensive, he didn’t require surgery. He’s still recovering, and returns to University Hospital’s trauma clinic for follow-up care. And as for the cause of his injuries, he doesn’t blame Tweed. “I judge myself rather harshly that I was not the victim, but the culprit. Part of this was lack of judgment on my part in trying to cut corners when I know better. A 1,200-pound animal can overcome a 180-pound human quite easily.”
2014 Community Trauma Report
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