Confidence needed to get back on

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Warrier_Prince

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Hi,

I came off my horse a few weeks ago and broke my leg quite badly. He's being riden whilst I'm out of action but as I start to recover, I'm getting nervous about getting on again - has anyone got any tips for me please?

(My horse is a 17hh TB gelding)

Thanks
 
I am the Queen of crapping myself!! Take it slow (even if it means just sitting aboard and not moving anywhere!!), do what you feel comfortable with and don't let anyone push you if you don't feel ready. I've got a good instructor but friends on my yard who know what I've been through have been brilliant. PM me any time you want :)
 
Hi there

Thats what I thought - just get on and see how it feels - putting foot in stirup is going to be a challenge (left leg broke) and my horse like to dance about a little when mounting :-(
 
i broke my back in a fall 4 years ago. before i got on my horse again, i had loads of lessons at different riding schools on different horses. eventually building up to cross country schooling. it did my confidence the world of good. because just after i broke my back, i was a bag of nerves and really scared at the thought of getting back on my horse.
 
The 1st couple of times meet the person who is riding your horse just as they finish working him, then just get on & off when the horse will be more settled.
Then progress to doing 5 mins in the school/field when he's been worked & pick it up slowly by increasing it each time & decreasing the other rider time.
Worth chatting to the person riding him now to discuss you getting back into the saddle.

Good luck & enjoy :)
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
The 1st couple of times meet the person who is riding your horse just as they finish working him, then just get on & off when the horse will be more settled.
Then progress to doing 5 mins in the school/field when he's been worked & pick it up slowly by increasing it each time & decreasing the other rider time.
Worth chatting to the person riding him now to discuss you getting back into the saddle.

Good luck & enjoy :)
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thanks - really good advice - I've still got a couple of months before I can think about getting on but great advice! THanks!
 
I suffer with confidence issues after breaking the back of my pelvis last year and I find that if you can identify what happened, could you have ridden it differently, why it happened and then once you have spent the time thinking about this then you have to move on.
Lesson learnt, I know that if the same situation occurs again I will in theory be ok.

I know easier said than done but you will get there. Accidents happen in every walk of life, my mum slipped on a kerb and broke her ankle, it doesn't make her refuse to walk around the streets, she walks down kerbs more carefully but carries on.

Give yourself small goals such as just getting on day 1, then maybe spending 2 mins in walk next day. Always give yourself the option of getting off if you are feeling a bit wobbly, its not a crime.

Little steps and before you know it you'll wonder why you were nervous at all.
Good luck and remember that its not an exam, there are no rules, do what you want at the pace you are happy with.
 
I would suggest spending some time lunging and long reining to start to rebuild your relationship on the ground with your horse before getting on. If you have the opportunity to, ride another safe reliable horse first to adjust to how different things might feel.
Then get on yours when you feel ready to when he has already been ridden by your rider and take it slow.
As others have said, take it at your own pace and don't feel pressured to do things before you are ready. Good luck!
 
Warrier_Prince said:
Hi there

Thats what I thought - just get on and see how it feels - putting foot in stirup is going to be a challenge (left leg broke) and my horse like to dance about a little when mounting :-(
Click to expand...

Perhaps teaching your horse to stand still for mounting would be a good place to start. Make that your 1st goal and come up with a plan to achieve this.
I had this issue when my chap was 5. I started by getting him to stand by the block for 5 seconds,built up,corrected him if he moved,then stood on the block counted to five,corrected and so on. I did this both sides and for about a week. He now stands patiently. I get on without holding the reins.I sit there and fiddle,check girth,admire view. And I can get on either side,which might be something you will need to do!
Good luck,as Clairew said,small easy steps and it will be a doddle!:)
 
Thats great you've got someone else riding him while you are out of action, because at least you won't both be starting back together as that can be even more hair raising!

Having been in the same situation myself I found seeing someone else do it first gave me the confidence to get on and try. Also, the suggestion about getting on when the other person has already worked your horse is great. If you can go and watch your horse being ridden then get on for a few mins at the end, and just have a sit, or do the cool off. I also found the prospect of getting back on always seemed worse and when I actually got on I felt better!

Good luck x
 
This is what I've had with my mare (15.2 tb) she bucked me off 3 times luckily never broke anything but my confidence!

I have started bringing her back into work on the lunge and she is going great so the other day I did all the leaning over stuff and eventually sat on! Did this again the other day and tomorrow will get on and have a little walk in the school! She was an absolute angel and could never understand why I was soo worried
 
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