Fell off!

[PrincessGraceless]

Was just having a riding lesson and fell off at light seat canter when horse suddenly and sharply spooked. I am 60 (ish) and been having lessons for a year. I so worry about breaking something - today was just bruises etc. I know it’s v risky and just wondering how others (especially more mature riders) reconcile themselves to this risk? I go to a good school and have a pretty good seat but instructor said would have struggled to stay on even if seated, such was the nature of the spook. I so love horses and still want one of my own. Am I/are we mad? Probably. Just sharing really. Thanks. (I guess I need to start wearing my body protector ). Get so HOT! PS Everyone seems to have had ‘an accident’! Chiropractor says huge part of her business.

I went through a stage of this during my lessons a few months ago I’m not mature in any sense but it still gave me a wobble, I reconciled myself after realising that everything is dangerous and I might break something doing any activity- I know this sounds kinda on the nose but it is true (and remembering my Aunty broke her leg falling over whilst walking ffs and she’s only in her late 20s). I also realised I wasn’t going to stop something I loved for something that might never happen. I did take it easy for a few weeks to gain back my confidence but that was all.

Thank you @UpturnedUmbrella. That’s normally what I tell myself too. I surprised myself by getting back on and cantering again. So I have obviously really got the horsey bug! (Makes a change from The Virus eh.)

FWIW @PrincessGraceless I was advised that for health reasons I should not ride but take up driving. It is still working and being around horses and horse people. Many skill challenges.
Come spring time and events restart I shall be out there somewhere I hope.

I’m in my 50s and had my first fall a few weeks ago - in canter, the horse stumbled, I wasn’t deep enough in the saddle, lost my stirrup and toppled off sideways . Like you I got straight back on, and actually rode much better for the rest of the lesson. There was no long term damage, just bruises and I needed a new pair of leggings. In some ways I was quite glad I’d got it out of the way - I knew I was going to fall off at some point and I was lucky that it was fairly innocuous. It hasn’t put me off but I am being cautious and won’t put myself in a situation where I feel unsafe. Since then I’ve been doing lots of Pilates and running and an exercise programme aimed at riders called ‘Activate your Seat’ - I figured that if I’m as fit, strong and balanced as I can be then that will help me in every day life as well as riding

Have you looked at the point 2 or hitair jackets? They may wind you a little when you fall but may make you feel more comfortable?

''It hasn’t put me off but I am being cautious and won’t put myself in a situation where I feel unsafe. ''

Indeed. This is why I decided to change instructors last week. The one I had was asking me to do something that I knew would make me fall (riding without stirrups and being told not to even grab the saddle to steady myself).

I know that we need to accept the risk of falls, but I will not follow unreasonable instructors that can only result in a fall.

PP, why are you so certain you'd have fallen? Holding on to the saddle creates a brace, which bounces you out the saddle more as you are rigid and tipping forward.

OP there is of course the old saying, it takes 7 falls to make a rider. There are ways to fall "safely", so it might help to ask your instructor to talk you through these. I'm glad you got back on, as you need to stop the fear setting in. Yes, you can really injure yourself riding, and spooks are hard to sit as you often don't see it coming and they move from under you very quickly. However, my worst injury to date was walking my mare inhand in the school, while she had mastitis and oedema (so was more of a shuffle) and I somehow rolled my ankle causing a break through my own sheer clumsiness. And she is a spooky beast to ride and has had me off more times than I can remember. Make of that what you will!

I’ve learnt much more from falling off than I have staying on

Frankly, if you think that by doing something like removing stirrups and not being allowed to hold onto the front of the saddle is going to make you fall off, then you are not really stable enough to be off the lead rein. And whoever says they won't put themselves in a situation that may cause them to fall, please remember horses can spook just walking to the school, slip on a drain cover (a friend of ours died after her horse was just walking along and slipped on a drain cover) or just fall over their own feet. Riding is dangerous, and you HAVE to develop as deep a seat as possible, which means riding without stirrups and carrying out other exercises. And even then you can have a fall. Or get trodden on or pushed over in the stable. Seriously consider taking up another activity if it scares you so much about falling off. It WILL happen and it MAY hurt. There is a facebook page called shiteventersunite - take a look at it and see how many people go flying on a daily basis. It will either put you off for life or get you more on board with improving your riding to stay in the saddle, rather than avoiding situations to stop you falling off.

Yep, hear and agree with what you’re saying @m00rfarm. I have very low ambitions but work v hard on my riding. And the school is always pushing me on (within what they assure me are my capabilities but out of my comfort zone).

Anyone out there got a really quiet, steady, non-spooky horse that they’ve never fallen off (without wanting to jinx anyone?). To give me hope!

I haven't ridden in a long time (got allergic to horses) but this is one of the problems of being an adult rider compared to a child rider.

As a child rider you fall off all the time, bounce, get back on and it doesn't appear to bother you.

I had a break and came back to it as an adult and the horses appeared to have grown! Even though realistically I would have been falling a lot further as a small child, your feeling of risk is just different as an adult. The idea of falling was far more upsetting.

As PPs have said the answers are a very secure seat, being as happy without stirrups as with, being able to right yourself without grabbing the saddle - and accepting you are in a risk sport where sometimes you will fall off.

If you were riding in a light seat and fell of because of a spook you probably aren’t ready to be riding a light seated canter. Many novices are taught to ride light by coming out of the saddle and putting the weight forward. This is a perfect position if you wish to fall off.
A true light seat still has the weight/centre of gravity back over the horse

I’m perfectly aware that I’m probably going to come off again at some point - what I meant by being cautious is I’m not going to put myself in situations which I’m not ready for eg cantering across an open field, riding a horse which is too sharp for me etc

I don’t bounce like I would have when I was younger and the consequences of injury could be greater so it’s a case of balancing risks, and also making sure I’m doing as much as I can to be a better rider, like working on my own fitness, lunge lessons etc

Good point. I didn’t feel balanced when the spook happened as I’m fairly new to this type of exercise! Maybe I should ask for a lunge lesson to work on more ‘out of seat at canter’ stuff. Thank you again for everyone’s comments.

That last reply was for @Polkadotties

The way I rationalise it is risk v benefit. Horse riding, and being around them keeps me mentally healthy and has got me through some tough times. I've only had one bad accident in the 40 years I've been riding, although I've fallen off loads of times. For me it's worth the risk. You do have to be insane to be involved with horses though.

Is it too radical an idea to change to Western style riding for the less flexible or those not so confident/skilled.
It seems more stable and relaxed.

Are there advantages?

It’s got me through some incredibly tough times too @Rainydonkey.

No idea about Western riding @celiamary - whether it’s any more secure - but maybe someone will be along to advise!

@PrincessGraceless

Good point. I didn’t feel balanced when the spook happened as I’m fairly new to this type of exercise! Maybe I should ask for a lunge lesson to work on more ‘out of seat at canter’ stuff. Thank you again for everyone’s comments.

The best way to improve your light seat riding is to not ride light seat. Lots of work without stirrups and learning how to seat deeply in the saddle. This will improve your core strength, leg position, stop you relying on the reins for balance.

One of the worst falls I had was on a mares ploddy bombproof cob - she tripped and came down on us both. I think rationising that falls happen and working on core strength and balance is the best bit. All the most confident riders I know accept it happens and take it as part of a sport. I know no one who never falls off.

I only know one person who hasn't yet fallen off - my daughter's 12-year-old friend who has learned to ride abroad since she was 2 and has always been made to ride without stirrups as a child. Maybe the no stirrup work is the reason why.

I'm not in your demographic, but I take the precaution of a good saddle, a strong core and an ability to psychically predict when the horse is going to be a dick. The latter is distinctly fallible, but easier when you have your own horse/s you know inside out and you can read the environment and their thoughts ahead of time.

There are always falls that are unavoidable, especially horse falls, but the more time you spend in the saddle, the stronger your seat and the better you are at reading the horse, the better you get at minimising them. A saddle that really fits you as well as the horse can help exponentially too.

The best way to avoid falls is to develop good balance, a good seat and a strong core. Unfortunately all of these take time. I have ridden since childhood and am now in my mid-60s and know full well my balance and core strength are very sadly lacking (it used to take a hell of a lot to unseat me, back in the day - now I fall off at the drop of a hat!).

Touch wood, the worst I've got are bruises, soft tissue injuries and light concussion. I take the view it's a risk sport and all i can do is try to mitigate the risk as much as possible. I only ever wore a body protector for cross-country as I felt quite restricted and worried my balance was being affected.

I know my mare pretty well, and can predict when she's going to be a cow-bag and have a broncing explosion and this is what keeps me safe I think!

@m00rfarm
I have rarely said this to anyone on Mumsnet but what a sad little comment.

How dare you tell anyone you know nothing about that they should 'take up another activity'.

It is pure stupidity to mistake prudence and common sense (which is what stopping an exercise if you can feel yourself fall actually is) for not understanding the wider point that ridding can be a risky sport.

In this case I have never even been taught by this instructor the basic principles of sitting trot so to be asked to do without stirrups without first learning the basic position was idiotic. Hence the change of instructor for someone who actually does things with a bit more method.

I would suggest stopping the posturing and using trying to show people a bit more respect.

And for your information I have had horses spook on my several times and one taking off into a canter (which I had never done) and I managed to stay on and control the horse every time.

I can promise you ElectraBlue I am not stupid when it comes to horses. I have been there, have the t shirt etc etc. I have also run many training camps for people, and it is very obvious when people are so scared of their horse that they are making life miserable for both of them. My point, which I will make again, is that there is NO way to ensure you are safe on a horse. They are animals - not machines. You are clearly a novice, and perhaps would benefit from some private lessons - allowing you to have the instructor focus on improving your seat so that you feel more secure. You are not really "controlling" the horse you are riding - the horse is letting you ride it and allowing you to make suggestions as to its next move. There is no way you are in control in any real sense of the word.

I totally stand by what I said in the previous post. Do not ride if you are so scared of falling off. You will be tense, your horse will become tense and you really will not enjoy riding. If you like being around horses, then find something else to do - help with the local RDA for example, help at one of the sanctuaries. Offer to buddy up with someone who competes and has no one to help them. You MAY find that being around horses and getting to know more about them on the ground will help your fears when you are on board. But be realistic. If a horse trips, spooks, naps etc - then you have a high probability of parting company.