when did you last fall off?

[MitchyInge]

and doesn't it hurt when you are older and bigger!

I just made a small bit of history by falling off a huge friesian, the slowest and laziest horse in the world , flicked him wrongly with a schooling whip and he flipped me right over his head

sympathy please, as always I landed on my head! HEADACHE

I don't think I should be reading this thread as am just contemplating returning to riding after a bit over 6 years (gave up when pg with DD1, 3 babies later still haven't found time to go back).

Anyway, last fall was actually 2 while out on a hack. First hack of the spring, riding a 18hh Shire who was absolutely delighted to be back out and chose to run to demonstrate this. A large tree had come down on the path over winter, he slowed down, I relaxed then the bugger decided to pop over it (not generally known for his jumping abilities!). Then, later on the same hack, his stablemate (Shire/Clydesdale cross, a bit bigger than my boy, also thrilled at being out) nipped his arse as he wasn't going fast enough, my guy bucked and I descended off the side again. The joy of such an enormous horse is that I landed on my feet both times - plenty of time to gather yourself together before you hit the ground!

Lol, I expect you'd have time to open a parachute .

Dhorse went down like a sack of spuds (no idea why) and it was so quick I don't remember the going-down bit, just trotting and then hitting the ground and wondering if I was about to get rolled on.

My mum used to have a part-shire, he was lovely .

Ooh Pixel, ouch hope you stop feeling sore soon. My sister fell off her "confidence" giving horse a couple of days ago. Complete fluke, she was cantering along their usual track and he spooked and bolted as a tractor had been left in a different position to where it normally is. Never can tell with them can you.

Unfortunately, she has a badly bruised spine and is struggling to walk properly. Says that's it, not riding again.

lol@poledra! And yet when I come off my girl (17.2hh) I ALWAYS land on my head/shoulders - why is that? I know my arse weighs more than my head!

Pixel I have no idea, I have never considered using safety stirrups... I don't know why - I suppose I just always thought it was a kids thing. I've also never had my foot go through the stirrup - fat ankles?

Owls So sorry to hear about your sister.

pixel the 'child's safety stirrups' (what are technically known as butterfly irons I think) are not recomended for adults. These are the ones with the elastic band thing that pings off if you fall. Apparently the weight of the adult foot is such that they can ping off when the adult is just losing balance or riding normaly and cause a fall in themselves.

The generally accepted rule is to ensure you have at least 1/4" gap either side of your boot in the stirrup. That way you can use either regular irons or those nice fancy ones with the springs in that are supposed to reduce ankle stress (SWW dreams of being able to afford a pair )

If you are particularly concerned or if your leg positing is a little unstable you can use the XC irons or 'bent irons' which are the ones with the curve in the side that allows the foot to slip straight out if you fall. They are an aquired taste but fine once you are used to them.

You could also use 'daps' or 'devonshire boots' or 'toe caps' on your stirrups to physically prevent your foot sliding through. I wouldn't recomend these as I personally dont like them but they work for some people.

My stirrups are just regular irons and they are a little too small for me. I desperately need to get a new pair as last time I came off my pony was when he fell over a big oxer and landed on top of me, he got up and as my leg had been twisted under him, it had got wedged in the stirrup and he actually dragged me a couple of yards before i managed to wrench my foot out. VERY very frightening indeed. (I was fine BTW, just sprained my ankle).

Ds has the Peacock irons with the bands, I've only just realised they go up to bigger sizes but I don't want them! I've not had a problem before as my feet don't go through the stirrups, it's just that dhorse was on my leg so my foot got caught at an angle. I suppose there was no 'give' in the boot as they have steel toecaps and it just jammed. They are called 'Saferider' boots and I've had them about 10 years so I've always assumed they would be ok. Perhaps I just need new boots instead of irons but they are very handy when a certain naughty horse tries to step on me! Actually it was all very annoying as I was having a lesson, and my instructor had just said my sitting trot was fantastic (her words ) and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, then BANG.
Well, since I can't afford Sprenger or anything else posh I've narrowed it down to either these or these. Which do you think are best?

Also, is the width measurement taken from the inside of the iron where your foot would go, or is it the full width underneath? (iyswim). Thanks

Owls, hope your poor sister is feeling better.

I like the Decathalons myself. Imitation sprengers are great, we have lots on the riding school ATM.

I've always thought you measure the stirrup by putting your boot into it then looking to see if there is 1/4" clearance either side before your foot would touch the iron if that makes sense. So I think it is from the inside of the iron.

The steel toecaps are generally bigger, it is a know thing that you might need bigger irons if you use them. They are great though for working round horses, my boss strongly encourages us to get steel toe caps when we by new work boots.

Thanks, yes I like those as well. I was tempted by the others because they look more like traditional irons but I'm not sure I like the bristly nylon in place of rubber tread. Think I will go for a bigger size this time too, my feet have grown since I've had children!

Agree with SWW, the quarter inch is taken when your boot is on the tread - so inside. So don't go measuring in socks against the outside of the iron!

I desperately want new stirrups... it's not that there's anything wrong with them per se, it's just they're looking a bit rusty & I bought them 5 years ago as "temporary ones".

Ah thank you Ski and Pixel. Just spoken to her and she is back on her feet and getting round a bit better again. Shame it's knocked her confidence so much.

Is it just me, but I find the thought of stirrups that just "give way" under pressure a bit off-putting. Although that could be because of my wobbliness in the saddle.

I didn't think stirrup irons could go rusty, mine are 25 years old and still shiny which is why I've never thought about changing them - naughty me.
Owls, hopefully they don't give way during normal use or I'll be on the floor again, which doesn't appeal at all! . Glad your sister is on the mend.

Pixel cheap and crap can definitely rust!

Then I think you definitely deserve a new pair. Any excuse to go and drool in a lovely tack shop.

Hmmn drooling isn't the problem - it's paying which is the problem and above the list for stirrups is a new GP girth which doesn't need to be done up on the top hole BOTH sides.

Bah - moving house soon though which should give me more cash... then we've got a big horse show coming up and all the stalls will be there. drools

I am so disgusted with some of the comments on this forum that I have joined to make my comments!!!

Firstly Chloe shouldn't have horses or any living breathing animal for that matter... there is nothing kind about going to the abattoir wether you take it yourself or not! Horses are terrified-they smell death and they know exactly what's happening! Have a look at this video filmed near Taunton (near me) www.chai-online.org/en/compassion/reality/reality_horseslaughter_uk.htm
Anyone that approves of this disgusting money making practise disgusts me! If you have a horse, you have it for life-no matter what.

Secondly I VERY much doubt a meat buyer would spend 700G on a horse when they can pick others up far cheaper at auction. I have rescued several perfectly healthy race horses which I bought for 300-500G!!!

Thirdly no horse is just pure crazy without a reason. This horse should have been sold as a difficult ride, as a companion or needs extensive re-training. I have seen people such as Gary Witherford work magic on these so called crazy too dangerous to ride horses.

Last but not least-A responsible owner would not have sent this horse to auction...as a very VERY last resort if EVERYTHING else failed they should have had the animal put down on the owners premises. You should not be set out to make money at somebody elses expense.

I cannot believe some people are soooo cruel...and so cruel publicly on the internet!!!!

haven't fallen off for AGES - almost a MONTH

let there be rejoicing on this thread!

Sorry to disappoint you but there is evidence here that you actually fell off on 29th oct which isn't much more than a fortnight ago.

Not that I'm keeping count .

oh no, was it so recent? thought it was AGES ago

hahaha!

well I didn't fall off tonight so why am I covered in splodges of wet sand from face to toe?

1st lesson for 35 yrs on Sat. Vaguely remembered most except the vital skill of the dismount. Kind of slithered until in crumpled heap on v wet muddy ground surrounded by dd, assorted helpers and small girls with parents

probably still more graceful than some of my recent dismounts-at-speed anyway

when is your next lesson?

Saturday Mitchy. Sadly can't do more as in not gainful enough employment full time. Made me realise how thoroughly unfit I am when had to stop twice during half hr lesson . Loving it though and may be back on asking for advisse re loaning dgg (horse, geddit )

lessons are depressingly £££ aren't they, I'd have at least 1 a day if I could afford it - might not fall off so often then!

what sort of gg do you have your eye on then?