Anyone Else Fallen Off Today?

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BSL

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I ride around a beautiful working farm. The pheasants are everywhere at the moment, but my lovely boy is brilliant and has pretty much got used to them. However today we were walking along a rather muddy/slippery track, pheasant jumped out under my boy, who spooked, slipped and somehow managed up on his side. It all happened in slow motion, so I somehow managed to pull my leg free and got up at the same time as him. Unfortunately, he then panicked, pulled away and sodded off at full gallop across the field up a very steep hill. I'm pretty fit for a 50 yr old, but there was no way I could keep up with him up that hill. I'm puffing away calling him, blowing on my whistle that I keep in my bum bag, when I see him stop on the horizon and look down at me. Prancing around he was, looking at me as if to say"what kept you?" :rolleyes:
Checked him over, all seemed ok, so we hacked back home. Apart from mud one side of my saddle and my hi viz covered, we seem to have got off lightly. Back protector did it's job, I think whistle helped, definitely got his attention. Starting to feel a bit stiff now. Hoping things dry up around here just enough to do one more hack along that track before I leave off for the winter. Just want to end season on a good note. Sorry to waffle on, just helps to have a release :)
 
No, but it was a close run thing! I'm not very well and have only ridden once or twice in the last 3 months. Got on today for a lesson and my little cob was fab for about 20 mins, then got bored. Sadly this coincided with me doing exercises without stirrups, so when he did a massive leap/spook across the school my life flashed before my eyes for a few seconds. Little sod he is! :lol: I got a "well sat" and he got a boot in the ribs. I think a proper fall would have finished me off!

Have a hot bath with epsom salts, or some magnesium if you have any. It really helps with aches and pains :)
 
I thought I was going too this morning, pony spooked and did a 180 degree turn and ran a few strides. I could see too much daylight sideways between me and the saddle, but by some good fortune I stayed on top. I have been off him several times with him doing that. I do not know what he shied at, probably a pony eating leaf, lol. I was ready for the impact not good for my 65 year old body, or nerves. I was very relieved this morning. Hope you are ok.
 
chillipup said:
A long hot soak in the tub must be calling you. Great idea with the whistle though.:)
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Yep, feeling a bit better now. I always carry a whistle, just in case...never used it before. Going to do a bit of whistle equals mint training.. try to teach boyo not to run off.
 
FrankieCob said:
No, but it was a close run thing! I'm not very well and have only ridden once or twice in the last 3 months. Got on today for a lesson and my little cob was fab for about 20 mins, then got bored. Sadly this coincided with me doing exercises without stirrups, so when he did a massive leap/spook across the school my life flashed before my eyes for a few seconds. Little sod he is! :lol: I got a "well sat" and he got a boot in the ribs. I think a proper fall would have finished me off!

Have a hot bath with epsom salts, or some magnesium if you have any. It really helps with aches and pains :)
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Well done for staying on.
 
Misty05 said:
I thought I was going too this morning, pony spooked and did a 180 degree turn and ran a few strides. I could see too much daylight sideways between me and the saddle, but by some good fortune I stayed on top. I have been off him several times with him doing that. I do not know what he shied at, probably a pony eating leaf, lol. I was ready for the impact not good for my 65 year old body, or nerves. I was very relieved this morning. Hope you are ok.
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Another "well sat". Feel embarrassed now..:)
 
Yep, I fell off out Hunting today so can feel your pain! Also, I have the pheasant problem around me too, they just appear out of nowhere and fly up sometimes when you are literally on top of them! :eek: They usually scare me more than the horses though, silly birds!
 
Not today but yesterday thus ending a record 2yr fall-free run! (I admit plenty of near misses in between though!) Horse is a bit of a ****** for bucking, always has been, but this one came out of nowhere, no warning, launched me into orbit and I got caught on the leg by a hoof on the way down. Very sore today and have a very colourful thigh, main damage is to my confidence though!
 
I made the mistake of saying to someone today "do you know I've managed a full year now without falling off!" (Whist touching wood that I haven't just jinxed myself!) 😮
 
Not today but I fell off some weeks ago-my lad was on field rest but local stables said I could ride one of theirs in the clear round, practice jumps-no problem! Thought I'd start at 1ft 9.. Striding was lovely, horse took an absolute flyer (someone took a photo from the side and he was just about clearing the wing!)which surprised me I landed awkwardly which made him spook, so out the side door I went! Cue concussion and a broken scapula!! The first blumming jump. I was mortified, and it hurt!!
 
Misty05 said:
BSL, no need to feel embarrassed. Your horse fell first. He might think pheasants have a new secret weapon now though. LOL.
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Thank you for your kind words Misty05. Took lad out for a nice hack around the block today, he is fine thank goodness, (tracks still a bit wet and slippery so didn't want to have a repeat of yesterday, and have to admit confidence took a bit of a beating). I have to do everything by myself, so have learnt when to choose my "battles". I will get back on that track, but on my terms:)
 
On the Up said:
I made the mistake of saying to someone today "do you know I've managed a full year now without falling off!" (Whist touching wood that I haven't just jinxed myself!) 😮
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You have done one year, no reason why you can't do another.. (but have touched some wood for you too:):))
 
Ben2684 said:
Not today but I fell off some weeks ago-my lad was on field rest but local stables said I could ride one of theirs in the clear round, practice jumps-no problem! Thought I'd start at 1ft 9.. Striding was lovely, horse took an absolute flyer (someone took a photo from the side and he was just about clearing the wing!)which surprised me I landed awkwardly which made him spook, so out the side door I went! Cue concussion and a broken scapula!! The first blumming jump. I was mortified, and it hurt!!
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At least you were doing something exciting.. I was in walk lol.. Really hope you heal quickly, and get back to your jumping.
 
Mrs G said:
Not today but yesterday thus ending a record 2yr fall-free run! (I admit plenty of near misses in between though!) Horse is a bit of a ****** for bucking, always has been, but this one came out of nowhere, no warning, launched me into orbit and I got caught on the leg by a hoof on the way down. Very sore today and have a very colourful thigh, main damage is to my confidence though!
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Mrs G, totally understand the confidence thing, just remember you are not alone, it's meant to be fun, so slowly, slowly.
 
spotty_pony2 said:
Yep, I fell off out Hunting today so can feel your pain! Also, I have the pheasant problem around me too, they just appear out of nowhere and fly up sometimes when you are literally on top of them! :eek: They usually scare me more than the horses though, silly birds!
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I always say, pheasants are God's joke on horse riders.:) Haven't hunted for years, very envious. :) Hope you are ok.
 
My sympathy I've had a few near misses from pheasants luckily (or not) our pheasants appear to save their suddenly appearing making the worse noise ever trick for when I'm poo picking alone at dusk
 
I took my pony out on the same route today, mostly walk today, he was very good, no problems. It has taken a long while to get us both to this stage. He has not been a suitable pony to try and get confidence back, he used to wind himself up about an inch high tractor on the horizon, and his spook and spins put me on the floor many times. I have now found a calmer that suits him, and he does not wind himself up anywhere near as much. He still puts the odd spook, spin and run a few strides in, he is much better in traffic, still work in progress with motorbikes, but Polos are helping. He now knows the word and waits for the Polo while the bike goes past. Still got to test it on a group of bikes though, lol. We are both more relaxed out now, going somewhere new makes him more spooky. It has not been easy and I hope we both continue to improve. I still need to talk myself into going out sometimes, sometimes I talk myself into not going out. Lol. He is happier when we have company, but still needs to be able to go solo sometimes. It has been worth the struggle. My biggest fear is being bolted with, and although he can spin and run sometime, it is only a few strides, as long as I can stay in the saddle I can cope with that.
 
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