After I fell and bruised my ribs, I tried cold, heat, and rest. Nothing helped until I did the following hot/cold routine, which I found on this site: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081107143009AAbiPJz I also figured out how to roll out of bed without using my chest muscles, which helped by preventing reinjury.
"Moist heat is the best, however it must be applied correctly. Use a Thermaphore, moist heat for 3 minutes only, then an ice pack for about 30 seconds. This proceedure should be repeated about 8 or 10 times. Beginning and ending with the heat. The heat dialates the capillaries so more blood can enter (three times as much), then the cold shrinks the capillaries down again causing the massageing of the tissues involved on the molecular level force feeding the damaged muscles removes debre, waste, and hystomine that makes swelling and edema, increases encephilans, endorphans (pain medicine that the body makes) and basically speeds up the healing process about three times faster. As we all know all healing is done with the blood flow. This is what I have found with most of the atheletes that I treat in my clinic."
They also recommend "wrapping the ribs till the pain level diminishes would help with" but I did not do that, so I can't comment on it.
You prolly bruised your rib. In my experience (of being extremely clumsy and unlucky) I have found that in most cases where ribs are involved, there isn't much they can do. Whether it's a bruise, a sprain or even a break, more than likely they will tell you to do exactly what you are doing. rotate 20 minutes of ice and heat, take it easy for a while and take ib pro as directed. i would say if it gets worse, you notice bruising or experience any tingling in any of your extremities to see a doc. Other than that take your mother's advise and stop horse playing in the house!