Ouch..

[horseyface]

Had a lesson today (my fifth) and fell off in a spectacular style in front of lots of kids (half-term so busy in the menage :o ). Was in a muddy puddle flat on my back thinking "oh my lord, I'm alive" as it's the first time I've fallen and I was about to find it funny when the horse decided to walk forwards into me. I couldn't get up quick enough and she stepped on my arm - ouch :eek: It is now a pleasant shade of blue but I can move it so think it's OK. I did get back on and managed a shaky circle in canter but she was very lively and I was very nervy too (she definately knew). I fell because she spooked at a tractor outside the menage and after 30 seconds of rodeo I went over her head. I would have hoped she might have waited for me to get out of the way, do most horses wait for you when you've fallen or is that a silly question? Am trying not to take it personally! She has a reputation as being a madam but so far for me she's been fine (apart from today). Does anyone else's horse chuck them off and wait nicely, or am I a romatic eejit?

[BeachRiding]

For only your fifth lesson your doing pretty good cantering! Too bad about the fall though. Let's see I have had both my horses wait for me. Willie will hang his head down ashamed if I fall off him and will be excellent the rest of the ride!

[horseyface]

Lucky girl, he sounds like a gentleman! Started cantering on my third lesson, but am only just getting the hang of steering! Very dodgy circle today and most of the time just canter down one side but RI suggested a circle to avoid going up the tractor end of the menage. I am enjoying riding, but must confess that am feeling very shaky falling and then being being trodden :(

[Purple Hugs]

Oh poor you!!
Somehwere on this board is a post about my 'spectacular fall' some while back.
After a couple of nervous lessons you'll be fine again.
Hope your arm is ok though, sounds like you were lucky to move quickly!

We've all been there! At least it's over with.. your first fall! :)

[pedilia]

Yeah you have done it, not as bad as the thought of falling I don't think, first of many;)

[Smoore]

you have made great progress for only your fith lesson

[ponylover88]

Oh dear. Shame about the fall, not all horses are considerate enough to jump you, move out of the way or best of all stop when you land in their tracks, unfortunately! - Most of the horses i ride wouldnt think twice about running off! My horse, Paddy even had a good gallop out of the menage and down a track to the fields to see if he could get home before galloping back up the track to the menage in record time!! :rolleyes:
Your doing really well cantering on your fifth lesson though. Dont let it put you off, and also well done for getting back on! :D
Being trodden on's a part of life, its happened to me on numerous occasions, but at the end of the day, we start riding knowing full well its a dangerous sport and yet were keen to carry on learning. :D
Whats that saying again 'The more falls you have the better rider you become'?? - Believe me, if you want someone whos taken that to the extreme, its me! :rolleyes:

[nutkin]

The last time I fell off was about 18mths ago(hope that don't mean I'm due for another)at a show and my mare went on to do a lap of honour quite proud of the fact I had fallen off...lol cheeky mare that she was. The horse I fell from before that actually got scared that I had fallen off and ran away but did then come back to me.OOh actually no I have fallen since then almost a year ago now and that was after being bucked off going flat out. somehow managed to hold on to the reins though and my mare came to an abrupt halt without standing on me luckily.

[Guest]

Grady goes hell for leather to get you off and then slams the breaks on and looks at you as if to say 'what are you doing down there?'
However the horse I fell off last night chucked me into a fence then proceeded to gallop round the ring a further 4 times taking another pony and her rather terrified small rider with him. I'd barely had time to sit up when I saw him galloping towards me so I jumped out the way!

[horseyface]

Thanks for all your replies, am glad :D (mean as that sounds) that some of you have had similar experiences. I think I have only just realised (dimwit) the strength and will of the horse, and the potential for things to go wrong. I know that sounds naive but I have so far been oblivious and not really nervous around horses or when riding. I suppose I think that if I am sensible and calm the horse will be too. Maybe that's why I feel quite confident and my RI let me canter so early? I don't know. But now I feel differently and am MUCH more wary about riding again next week. Feel like I have been knocked right off my perch! Am helping my friend out with her horse at the moment too and am even starting to worry that when I am near him he will sense it and not respond to me or horror of horrors try to bite or kick me. What a plum I am. Sorry people, I always seem to go from one extreme to the other and probably just need a reality check. :( Maybe it will help if I fall off again next week! LOL :D

[Guest]

Hang on don't think like that, it's good your confident thats the right attitude to have,