I fell off AGAIN! I AM RUBBISH!

[-jo-jo-w]

Title says it all really! After falling off a few weeks ago last week I was more nervous than I expected, whenever Harvey got into an active trot I felt like he was getting away from me. This week I was determined to put all that behind me...I was still struggling to keep him going all the time, first chance he gets Harvey will slow down!!! Anyway my instructor had us going over poles and I was really enjoying it...then Harvey spooked at nothing and it was like a cartoon for a moment there was a space where seconds ago there was a horse. I landed right in my a**e! Good job I have plently of padding there. I was not so keen to get back on this time, but my instructor was great took me away for a coffee then we went into the indoor school and I got back on did lots more trotting, lots of changing direction. I was kacking myself but I eventually started enjoying it again! I had this image of me being a great rider but it turns out I am pretty rubbish! That said I still enjoyed myself! I never fell off this much when I was wee!

[KateWooten]

Well.... if you're going to make a habit of it, could you not hand your RI a digital camera or summat at the start of each lesson, so we can all 'share your pain' :D :p

[Shire Monster]

LOL that is wicked kate!! Must admit its one way to get yourself giggling about it afterwards, especially if you can reverse it, a premature dismount in rewind really is the funniest thing, mine looked like something from Matrix!!!:D

Anyways just wanted to say well done you for gettin back on your RI sounds really great, it is always better to get back on if you can, I came off years ago and badly hurt my ribs, couldn't get back on that lesson and couldn't ride for about 6 weeks I was absolutely terrified when I went back.

[fjordlady]

Please don't beat yourself up - it happens to everyone.
The biggest problem with falling off when your older is the nerves and confidence issues afterwards;). Never had that problem when I was younger but I have it in heaps now :eek: You start to anticipate problems and go into a 'what if' frame of mind and that makes things worse!
I then get really frustrated knowing I am being illogical.
I try to take comfort in the fact that I am not alone. It really helps to read posts from others.

[heartofrainbow]

No your not rubbish!

I had a rescue pony a while ago and everytime I rode her I ended up on the floor!

Must of falling off about 3 times each time I rode her!

She made me lose my confidence, but after some support from friends and sitting on an 11.2 in the stable (i'm only 5ft) i started to get my confidence back!

Just go back to basics, maybe have a lunging lesson, try and work on your balance, then build on that!

[gemkat]

First of all, how much lessons/riding have you done?
I fell off when my RI asked me to trot the horse over poles.. and it was exactly the same experience.
Looking back, I was really not ready for this as I had only 5 lessons previously with a 20 year gap. Now I can't even look at a set of poles without fear.. as I suffered from v bad whiplash as my head hit the ground first with all my weight (had to see 2 specialist for checks on my brain and neck etc) and just recovering.. that was over 2 months ago.

So if you have only limited training, not sure you should be doing this - just yet (that is my humble opinion)

My feeling is that our saftey and well being is the prime concern of any RI.. I do not buy the theory that we have to keep coming off in order to learn, although accepting coming off is part of the deal in riding.:confused:

I am still having lessons, just walk and trot..:)

[oumbagirl]

Please don't beat yourself up - it happens to everyone.
The biggest problem with falling off when your older is the nerves and confidence issues afterwards;). Never had that problem when I was younger but I have it in heaps now :eek: You start to anticipate problems and go into a 'what if' frame of mind and that makes things worse!
I then get really frustrated knowing I am being illogical.
I try to take comfort in the fact that I am not alone. It really helps to read posts from others.

This is so true regarding confidence. It is the 'what if's' that are the killer each time, they can have a far stronger effect so I have realised in recent months, but they are not unbeatable. :)Its dogged determination to keep on going most of the time which comes down to how much you want to do something ie horseriding.;) So many times in the past I have put things aside when they became 'too difficult'. :eek::eek: Only to realise, I don't think my whole heart was in it from the beginning. Same with trying to learn other stuff e.g. languages lol!!!! If you want to become proficient again in horseriding that badly, I suspect there will shortly come a time when you will give yourself a stern talking to and just get on with it!!!:):)

Its true what they say on this forum - horses should be fun because they are certainly expensive and take all your time up!!!

Having said all that: I'm still fighting my confidence issues so be assured ...you are not alone... We keep crawling out of the woodwork all over this forum!:p:p
Oumbagirl.

[Skib]

No, you're not rubbish. But it sounds as if your riding school or teacher may be.
If you are returning to riding as an adult, you need someone to provide you with a basic foundation of balance and control to keep you stable on the horse and help you go with unexpected movements.
It doesnt necessarily take long but you do need an instructor who knows how to teach.
Falling off isnt necessarily a serious thing; most of the time we pick ourselves up and go on riding. But it can occasionally kill or cause serious injry, and that is why it should never be taken lightly.
Your riding school should take better care of you and you - well, take care of yourself.

[beth_cf]

your not a proper rider before falling of 7 times.. :rolleyes: i think thats the saying?! :)

[-jo-jo-w]

Its not putting me off at all! Thanks to everyone for your comments, my bottom is still very sore if anyone cares. I want to dance at xmas no fair :mad:

Seriously though, thanks, some good things said about going back to basics. Might have a look around get a lesson with another instuctor...I do like my instructor but it's like someone said above about teaching the balance etc none of that has been said really.

[Tatooed Lady]

I would think that you'd be expected to ride well at any trot, and be able to walk the poles (at a quicker walk) before your RI would ask you to trot poles...maybe I'm wrong, or paranoid, but I've had my life changing fall (over summer), and I was SO worried over falling off again...then I came off yesterday with no bruises, even....so I'm just raring to get back on.
If your current RI has more experience with kids than adults, you may want to try a different one.
Best of luck!

[KateWooten]

If your current RI has more experience with kids than adults, you may want to try a different one.


Now, that's a very good point. My RI is really good with me (older lady retunring), and thinking about it, her main career focus has been the older teenagers - the college girls - rather than the little girls in up-down lessons. Different issues, different rate of progress altogether.

[Cobgirl]

If you are rubbish, then so am I! I had a real bumper of a fall a month or so ago. I hadn't ridden for 40 years and am really scared about cantering. I wasn't in the right frame of mind, and went for the canter....came off badly and my bruise was horrendous.

Now I am sticking to what I can improve on, my balance without stirrups, trotting with my arms folded, and generally being totally confident with the gaits before cantering. I will know when I am ready!

Good for you though, wanting to get back on. that is definitely the way to go!

[MrsCarter]

Oh my lord!! If you class yourself as rubbish I must be bloomin' useless!!
I've been riding for years and still take the odd tumble :D It's alearning curve .... enjoy it :D xxx

[TheWorldOver!]

Title says it all really! After falling off a few weeks ago last week I was more nervous than I expected, whenever Harvey got into an active trot I felt like he was getting away from me. This week I was determined to put all that behind me...I was still struggling to keep him going all the time, first chance he gets Harvey will slow down!!! Anyway my instructor had us going over poles and I was really enjoying it...then Harvey spooked at nothing and it was like a cartoon for a moment there was a space where seconds ago there was a horse. I landed right in my a**e! Good job I have plently of padding there. I was not so keen to get back on this time, but my instructor was great took me away for a coffee then we went into the indoor school and I got back on did lots more trotting, lots of changing direction. I was kacking myself but I eventually started enjoying it again! I had this image of me being a great rider but it turns out I am pretty rubbish! That said I still enjoyed myself! I never fell off this much when I was wee!


Oh stop it! ;) Don't be too hard on yourself! Actually you sound like me ;):D) I have a low tolerance over my own mistakes.

Start thinking good thoughts about poles, pretend it's the first time you go over them. Say to yourself "I love poles, they are easy, piece of cake, I refuse to be intimidated by them, they are my friends". :o:)

[gaz deluxe]

My Parents Got My Brother A Horse And He Falls Off Every Time He Rides, He Wears Hats Bodyprotector Shoulder Pads The Lot So He Funt Hurt Himself But That Dunt Make Him A Bad Rider, What Dosnt Kill Us Makes Us Stronger Remember, U Will Be A Better Rider Than What You Was B4 U Wait N See!!!!!!!!! he might not be quite an expert at riding, but he sure is a professional at falling off, if only it was a disipline lol ha.