First fall!

[Ziggy26]

Firstly I'd like to introduce myself, I've been reading threads on this forum for some time now and thought it was about time I posted something. I've been riding for about 7 months now and am well and truly hooked!
The problem is Friday was my first fall, I know it's going to happen but it's just put some horrible fear into me. The horse I was riding decided to be a bit more forward than usual...leaped over a pole and bucked at the same time. In turn I was 'dislodged' and fell heavly on my lower back. Needless to say the shock, pain, A & E and the discomfort (but thankfully nothing more!) has left me feeling a bit down in the dumps. How do you overcome the anxiety feeling?

[Maclynky]

get back and ride. Only do what you're comfortable with. I've fell off four times in 12 mths due to spooky horse and 1 buck. The first 3 times I really lost my confidence but made myself get back on. The fourth time I sat and laughed so know I am now over my fear of falling. Good luck

[Hannah.Horsie]

thats how i had my first fall!
i landes on a stray bit of concrete (by chance) it took me 15 minets to stand up again!
i just booked another lesson and asked to be put on a plodder and have a steady lesson 2 lessons later i was back cantering at every chance and even did a mini jump!

P.s nurse those brusis:)

[Whatanejit]

Oh poor you Ziggy. For your first fall to end up in A&E:eek:

I have fallen off loads of times but never got as far as the hospital and always got back in the saddle:)

It really isn't as bad as your first one all of the time. Next time you have a lesson let your instructor know what happened and that you are a bit nervous and want to take it easy. Build yourself up again in your own time. Sorry to say this but you probably need to fall off again and it to be uneventful before you get over this reaction.

Hope you are not too sore:o

xx

[warnersdb]

Hiya,
I have been riding for about 6 years now and dont think i will ever be able to give it up. The first time a fell off was when i was on a hack and i was on a little 11.2hh mare who was in season who likes to bolt off. So off she went hehe but instead of goin straght ahead she turned left and galloped all the way down this field with the rest of the ride following it came to a natural dead end which im suprised stayed on all the way but then she threw this massive rodeo . So that was it also all night in A 'n' E seeing as i had broke my wrist. When i got back i was nervous i think everyone is. Just put the bad things behind you and on the way to the stables dont get in your head the worst things that can happen.

[Imp]

I'm still waiting for my first fall off my new girl... it'll happen, she's trying her darndest :D

I find coming to NR and asking others of their experiences makes you feel a lot better. You don't feel alone and it's motivating to hear how other people picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and got back on :D

I hope you feel better very soon and are back in the saddle :)

[Clare-22]

Ouch I hope you aren't feeling too sore now. I think feeling anxious is only to be expected, but as soon as you are feeling fit again get back on but only do what you are comfortable with and don't worry about taking it slowly, I am sure you will be back to enjoying your riding in no time :)

[domane]

Ouch! Sorry your confidence is dented.... but better that than your head, eh?

Falling off is inevitable with horses I'm afraid. I came back to riding last summer after a long break and have so far avoided hitting the deck, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

As others have said, the only way to get over it is to get back on.... think of ALL the times you have ridden and NOT fallen off, rather than the once you did. Were you wearing a body protector? If you weren't perhaps that would help make you feel safer and less vulnerable?? There is a very old saying which says that you must fall off at least seven times before you can class yourself as a proper rider!!! By those standards, that would make me an expert horsewoman..... sadly the reality is far from the truth!!! :D

[palmerlover52]

ooh, bad luck! i just get on again, mainly to bug my mother (i get banned from riding horse that thinks it's in a rodeo, only to ride it next week :D)

i'm so used to falling off now (5 times in 6years:D) i just get on with it. most of the time it makes me laugh lol mind you, i've never been really hurt, just a brusied bum, sprained ankle type thing. oh and the dented ego lol

[Ziggy26]

Many thanks for all the advice...your right the only thing is to get back on! That's once I can actually sit down properly!! In the mean time it's lots of hot baths. I thought about the body protector option but I've heard they can be quite restrictive, where I ride it's a must if you're jumping but optional on flat work. Time to strap another hot water bottle to my bum I think :) !!!

[Crazyhorse]

I would reccomend a body protector and can honestly say that mine does not restrict me. I think if you only wear it now and again ie for jumping it is going to feel a lot more alien. Also, I seem to fall off more doing flatwork than ju:rolleyes: mping Hope you stop aching soon!

[caraid_alba]

hi and welcome to NR.
Hope you are felling better . not nice having a fall, and best thing is to get back on . :D and try to relax.

[Alyra]

I've found the sooner you get back on and ride (if you are ok, ie not injured too much!) the better. Personally for me, the longer I leave it, the more anxious I get and the more I 'make things up' in my head about what 'could happen' if that makes sense. Also having a lesson with a good confidence building instructor is great.

[Hanamoon]

Hope you're feeling better - I had my first fall last week. I was kind of relieved to finally have it over with. Since I wasn't really hurt I got right back on and finished my lesson. I had assumed that I might be a bit anxious prior to my next lesson but I wasn't at all (which is strange because I am such a nervous nellie) and I think it is because I got back on and got on with it. My best advice is arnica gel & arnica tablets plus liberal doses of pinot noir in the evening as needed...

[Ziggy26]

Quick update, I went to work today and had to sit perched on the chair at my desk...it's too sore to sit back. Arnica? I've heard of that, might give that a go. It's just a matter of time for me now. Physically I couldn't manage to sit on a horse right now....hopefully it wont be too long! :)

[vince42]

Hi, sorry you're feeling sore - I've fallen quite a few times now and hurt myself a few times, nothing broken but damaged badly enough to stop me riding for a few weeks and make work very uncomfortable. After a fall from a huge buck that saw me sore for about three weeks I finally saw the light and bought a body protector. Haven't fallen since but it would have helped a great deal in all the falls I have had previously as I generally ended up landing on my back. It takes a little getting used to but gets to be comfortable enough after a bit of use.

Vince