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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

DDs first fall today

11 replies

PastPerfect · 09/03/2015 19:40

Dd had her first fall today - remarkably she has not fallen in five years.

Only last week I was telling her how unusual this is and that falling is completely normal and will make her a better rider.

Today she fell after her horse refused a (small) jump. She landed face first on the upright splitting open her eyebrow and cheek Sad

I wasn't even there and I'm not sure she'll ever get on a horse again. Feel gutted for her

OP posts:
Bonkey · 09/03/2015 20:33

She will! :)

After a 6year break I went to get on my new horse for the first time only for him to promptly throw me off mid mount. I broke a few ribs and ended up in a&e in agony!
My worst fall in 20 years.
Incidently my fall count is in single figures....just! Not bad going!

I am nearly 27 with a child and no where near as brave or confident as I used to be pre ds, I am self employed and can't afford it to happen again.... but I will be damned if I let a horse beat me. Wink

I am back on board now and loving it!!

Kids bounce back, just give her confidence and let her take it slow and steady and before you know it she will be jumping again in no time at all!

Falls make us better riders...and give us something to talk and laugh about a few weeks later!

frostyfingers · 10/03/2015 09:45

She really needs to get back on asap - jumping can be left for as long as necessary - it would be such a shame if she gave up after a fall. I've fallen off loads of times, a couple of them serious, but never considered not getting back on. I'm more selective about what I jump, but in fact my most recent fall was on the flat as horse was mucking about cantering down a field and slipped into the ditch - a cut nose and a black eye resulted - but I got straight back on and added that to my list.

Do encourage her to try again, falls are part and parcel of riding - she'll know to stick tighter next time!

elastamum · 10/03/2015 09:52

I would take her back up the yard in the next couple of days. Get her back on and walk round with her for a bit, or take a walk with her up the road. Tell her not to make decisions about riding until she feels completely better. Its horrible falling into a fence rubs previously broken cheek bone but fortunately rare. Put the jumping aside for a bit.

Hope she feels better soon Smile

mrslaughan · 10/03/2015 10:05

My son looses his confidence really easily - and although hasn't had a fall as bad as your daughters, mentally they are as bad IYKWIM. anyway what we have done after all falls , is dialled it back - if its just a lunge lesson where he stays in walk, thats what we have done. he very quickly remembers why he loves it, and is back into it, but I dial it back to where he is comfortable, and where go from there.

Doubtfuldaphne · 10/03/2015 13:34

As my dad told me, you must get back on as the longer you leave it the harder it is. I still remember my first fall but luckily it was on sand!
It can really knock your confidence. I had a very bad fall years later and have only ridden twice since then. It's been a few years now (actually 13 years!) and I'm just getting the urge to go back to it now.
I think once horses are in your blood it never goes away Wink

AuntieDee · 10/03/2015 21:50

Falling off makes us a better rider. Next time she will anticipate the refusal and sit up and the approach to the jump rather than folding too quickly. She'll have many more falls and each one will teach her a valuable lesson x

Goneintohibernation · 10/03/2015 21:56

Your poor DD, she has been very unlucky having such a nasty fall as her first! I hope she is back on board soon, and enjoying it again. Its definitely worth getting her back on a horse again as soon as possible.

lilacunicorn · 10/03/2015 22:08

I know how you feel.

Dd fell for the first time 4 weeks ago, having ridden for about 7 months, & broke her wrist Hmm she got her foot briefly stuck in the safety stirrups & so she got dragged for a few paces too Hmm Hmm

She got on again for the first time last week but with me leading the pony & was understandably very nervous & when the pony stumbled & then jumped at a pheasant in the hedge she was in tears Hmm

I really hope she can get her confidence back but I think it'll take a while.

Hope your dd is back riding soon

Original poster
PastPerfect · 11/03/2015 11:38

Thanks all - I don't really know why I posted but I was feeling unaccountably miserable about it. So thank you for the words of encouragement.
She has a lesson next week so hopefully that will be a success Smile

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 14/03/2015 23:20

Waiting for DS1's first fall ... Hope the next lesson is a success. Have you read Clare Balding's autobiography on how many falls make a rider?

loveareadingthanks · 30/03/2015 11:18

Poor girl but it's unusual that she's ridden for so long without a fall.

Encourage her to return quickly - but not pushing her to do activities she doesn't feel ready for. She may want to take it a little bit steadier for a few rides.

You could try telling her that it's not just riding that has it's risks. Any active sport involves the odd accident - football, rugby, climbing, cycling (road rash - ouch!), gymnastics etc. I had a girl showing me a horrendous black and blue swollen ankle just from landing a bit awkwardly on a trampoline under safe supervised conditions. Life without risk is a boring life.

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