"Nervous Nellies" club - can I join, please??!!

[elaine@dow-evan]

Here's why.

Started riding - very late in life! Had lesson on Monday - went v well.
Went for a walk in the woods on Tuesday - me on friend's horse, friend walking alongside. Practising seat, walk - stop aids etc. Horse fairly uncoperative but eventually she listened to me and settled down - so I thought. However, at one point broke into trot which I managed OKish (I'd done it on Monday, so knew rougly what to do) - and then into canter...result, I lost a stirrup, balance and seat - and fell off.

I have a sprained ankle, bruised backside (shaped like the cantle of the saddle hem-hem) a very minor bruise in the middle of my chest where I think the stirrup caught as I did an unauthorised dismount.

I know I should have got straight back on, but as she was unsettled, and it was pouring with rain, and we were nowhere near a mounting block, wall r gate to use instead I felt that wasnt going to be a good idea, and so we walked back "home". Horse is fine (probably in season which would explain a lot, poor girlie) and I have been laid up all week with the aforementioned sprained ankle...replaying the incident in my mind, which is daft.
I have another lesson booked for Monday which I hope I can get to, and which I'm looking forward to...I think. I'm in no particular hurry to repeat the falling-off thing, although I know that riding an animal with a mind and will of its own falling is inevitable.
Any tips?

[JustJas]

Ouchies.. sounds like bad combination of horse and rider.

[curlycal]

You have my sympathy, I too started riding later in life, I'm sure we don't bounce as well as the youngsters lol
Maybe stick to the RS horses till you're a bit more confident at trot/canter?

Hope you recover in time for your lesson. Let us know how you get on.

Cal x

[Imp]

Oh dear, poor you. Take time to heal the bruises (they're always in a place you can't show off in polite company aren't they :o ).

I'm the most nervous nelly of them all I think, I'm a complete WUSS :rolleyes: You sound like you're very new to riding so you did really well, particularly as you were not in a school environment or on leadrein (correct me if I'm wrong); that sort of situation could easily unseat a more experienced rider :eek:

Doesn't matter when you start riding in life, the falling off is the worst worry - I've been around horses since a child with a big gap in adulthood but a horseowner of 18 months now... and I'm still a gibbering wreck some days :o

I think you should commend yourself, stop thinking about what happend (as I said it happens to most of us) and move on up. If your bum's feeling better go for your lesson and tell your instructor what happened and can you take it easy.

Out of interest, how long have you been riding?

[sophie33]

I don't think you qualify :p - sounds to me like you handled the whole thing very bravely. I find after a scare I need to stick to easier things for a bit. Maybe stick to the school for a few weeks and then, when you feel ready again, try another little hack.

[RustyMary]

I agree there's no need to take out membership yet! You've only had one or two lessons so far haven't you? Take things really slowly and build up confidence in your lessons in the school. It's true that horses have minds of their own, but in the arena a beginners lesson horse shouldn't be taking off anywhere with you, and as you gradually improve your seat and gain experience you'll be better able to deal with a less predictable horse.

I'm another late starter and I've been really surprised at just how long it all takes. As a non-rider you tend to think that you just get on the horse and sit there, but a year down the road I have learned that there's an awful lot more to it than that! Don't be in any rush to move on to canter or even trot until you feel secure in walk - there's plenty to learn about steering and moving with the horse in walk before things start speeding up! I didn't canter for about 8 months and when I finally got to it there was no problem. Confidence takes a long time to build up and about half a second to lose - don't be embarrassed to insist on going slowly - you've been waiting a long time for this and it's supposed to be fun!

[rusk]

Recently I have gone on a few hacks at various riding establishments as I haven't been able to ride my own horses for a few weeks. It had a two fold reason because I was going to keep a friend company who had lost her confidence and also with a new rider.
I was shocked at the standard of the horses which were provided. An experienced rider would be hard pushed to control some of them in normal circumstances, never mind if something out of the ordinary happened!!:eek: :eek:
Make sure you are getting the right kind of instruction and more importantly the right kind of horses!

[*toHorse&Away*]

O dear so sorry about that - sounds mighty painful!
The biggest damage can come in terms of confidence but you sound like you are looking forward positively to your next lesson so hopefully all will be well and both bruises and memory will fade.
It is a shame you couldn't get back on but perhaps given the circumstances you describe that was best for all.
Tell us how your lesson goes!!! :)

[Trewsers]

Ouch! Sending you some healing vibes!!! I would stick to the school for a wee while, but I think you were brave and I think you should be pleased with yourself cos you're not a shivering wreck and are still keen!!

[Whatanejit]

Ooooooh hope you are feeling better mate!

I think you fall into the category of not quite realising how easy it is to hit the deck until it happens.

I used to ride as a young teenager and then left it 'till I was 30. The first time I sat on a horse at 30 I was soooo confident and thought I would still have all the ability that I had way back then!

As soon as the horse started to trot I knew that it was back to the beginning for me.

Our riding school are very strict and don't allow you to hack out until you can walk, trot and canter in the school. Even when I was doing that I still wasn't the most balanced in canter / gallop and always rode with a neck strap.

Hacking is amazing when you have been stuck in the school for months but it is a potential blooming disaster area if you think of all the things that could go wrong.

I think that you have been really lucky and have been let of with a dear warning.

Stick to the school and then you will enjoy your first hack out sooooooo much more.

Get well soon.

Dx