Another milestone reached - fell off!!

[Jinete789]

Well, it finally happened, in the now nearly two years since I started riding again (after a 30 year break following a fall), I have hung inelegantly through bucks, broncs, spins and one rather spectacular "high ho silver" rear.

Then yesterday, it happened, lovely sunny day, outdoor school just coming out of a 10 meter canter circle, just getting that "hey, maybe I CAN ride" feeling - when - dog barks, horse gallops at full pelt to other end of school, I hang on as best as I can trying to slow down before realising that we are about to run instructor over. Instructor runs right, I try to steer left, horse goes right, I continue to go left out the side door. I FLEW - wheeeeee :D

Moral of the story is:

1: I have done the thing I was most frightened of (falling)
2: I didn't get dragged this time (better foot position in stirrups these days)
3: I only hurt my pride (thank you body protector)
4: My confidence has IMPROVED - I can't wait to ride again!

So whilst I would never plan to fall off, I feel glad I have gotten this over with!

[gail_rose]

Hey,
Well done! ;) :D

Where did you have your fall? Not been near a horse for 6 weeks now! :eek:
My friend who goes for lessons at Ayr said someone fell off & broke their leg the other week. I'll hopefully be going riding somewhere in the next week or so.

Glad you're not hurt & you know falling off's not as bad as you thought it was gonna be!

Gail. x

[Jinete789]

ooh, broken leg -how nasty. Just goes to show how much is down to pure luck ie what you land on and where the horse lands!

I am now having lessons at Ardgowan near Inverkip - they don't have an indoor school so I can only really ride there at weekends at the mo, but I really like it so far - they have good quality horses that they don't keep for so long that they become totally switched off schoolies and the staff seem nice.

So Gail - no riding for six weeks - you'll be as stiff as a board next time you mount up :D

I'm off on my holibags next Saturday - going riding in Spain so will post my adventures when I return!

Jin

[pengapenga]

Glad you are ok :) At least you have past another hurdle, like the moral of the story :) Have a fab holiday in Spain :)

[Trewsers]

Jinete789 - hope you're ok! I too fell off over the weekend, I'm a "mature rider" (well, 35 years old to be precise!). Anyway, I was just trotting on a circle and I really am not sure what happened exactly, but I think horse going one way me going another - also he did a little "I'm fed up cos its the end of the lesson buck" - and off I went! Am in AGONY :eek: today - am sure it hurts more the older you get!!! I landed on my rear - (plenty to land on there :D ). Still, am as stiff as a board today... Anyway, I guess there are lessons to learn - never will I take for granted the trotting thing - I thought cantering was my weak point! Feel a bit like my confidence has taken a knock but as soon as I stop aching I'll have another lesson. Hopefully I'll stay on.... :D

[nutkin]

it must be all the spring grass starting to come through. I fell off today and boy did it hurt. It was my own stupid fault as I let Caddie go into a flat out gallop and she was full of herself and put in a huge buck catapaulting me over her head and just as for the first time since I brought my body protector I wasn't wearing it so silly me is now feeling very bruised and battered with stiff neck and bruised back. I am not having a hot bath, thats for sure cos I know it will hurt more. Glad to hear your fall wasn't too bad and that you haven't had your confidence knocked. Like you I'm an older rider too(mid 30's) and it does seem to hurt that bit more the older you get. One things for sure I will never ride without my body protector again no matter what i'm doing.

[KarinUS]

Yeah, Congratulations!

[Jinete789]

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes. Looks like this weekend there should have been warnings out to airline pilots to look out for low flying riders :eek:

Maybe we should all get together and form an "equestrian aerobatics" team. I'm sure we could get sponsorship from one of the body protector manufacturers :D

Another hidden benefit of my fall - OH "made me" (no, no I cried) stop by the tack shop and purchase a lovely new Champion Cobra BP, to replace the old Reiver (affectionately known as the "toaster") I fell in - bless. I have promised to try not to test its effectiveness for a week or two ;)

Kind wishes to all fellow unscheduled dismounters out there today, my heart and aching back go out to you!

Jin

edited to say, btw, Arena sand tastes REALLY BAD :p

[NoviceNic]

Gosh you are all soo brave I dread the day I fall off. Don't think my bones will take it as well as when I was a teen either. (Fingers, toes all crossed)