First ever fall

[P0ny Lover]

I am a young rider, and I've had my first ever fall. It was a group leason and the pony I was riding took off, when I was ment to be trotting. It wasnt a bad fall and I didn't hurt myself. I've just had my 2nd lesson after my fall and I'm really struggling. I managed to have a small canter on my 1st lesson after my fall. But now I'm scared to trot let alone canter. I just keep thinking the pony could take off again and I'd fall off. It got so bad I broke down crying in my latest leason. Any tips on getting my confidence back?!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I fallen many times, broken bones and such. You just have to ask your teacher to help, maybe some private lessons to have a one on one, and ask for a quieter pony for a while.

 

[Jambarissa]

Can you get a couple of private lessons and specifically learn what to do in that situation? They'll probably teach a one rein stop or to turn into the side of the school or something that works with their horses and their set up.

Sounds like you're more worried about losing control than actually falling so this may help.

Try not to replay it in your mind, distract yourself any time it comes up.

 

[SO1]

I am a young rider, and I've had my first ever fall. It was a group leason and the pony I was riding took off, when I was ment to be trotting. It wasnt a bad fall and I didn't hurt myself. I've just had my 2nd lesson after my fall and I'm really struggling. I managed to have a small canter on my 1st lesson after my fall. But now I'm scared to trot let alone canter. I just keep thinking the pony could take off again and I'd fall off. It got so bad I broke down crying in my latest leason. Any tips on getting my confidence back?!

Do you always ride the same pony? Not all ponies are alike perhaps request not to ride the pony you fell off from and ask to ride a different one till you feel more confident.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I fell down the stairs at home a few weeks ago, I still go up and down the stairs without worrying. These things happen.

 

[Jemima50]

I fell down the stairs at home a few weeks ago, I still go up and down the stairs without worrying. These things happen.

But those stairs are static and haven't got a mind of their own

 

[HopOnTrot]

But those stairs are static and haven't got a mind of their own

But I don’t have lessons to learn how not to fall down them, professional riders don’t worry about about falling off, they just train to avoid it.

 

[Dave's Mam]

But I don’t have lessons to learn how not to fall down them, professional riders don’t worry about about falling off, they just train to avoid it.

Don't be so bloody mean.

 

[Pippity]

But I don’t have lessons to learn how not to fall down them, professional riders don’t worry about about falling off, they just train to avoid it.

You're replying to a young, novice rider who is worried and nervous. "Professionals don't care," isn't a helpful answer.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I’m not being mean, I’m saying you shouldn’t dwell on it, I’ve put a lot of work into improving my confidence and worry about falling off wasn’t in the list of advise. Look at Karl Greenwood for confidence inspo.

 

[dottylottie]

maybe request some lunge lessons, and you can use it as an opportunity to work on your position and balance - both things that will come in handy should you be in that situation again! bonus is that pony is attached to instructor, so nowhere to go.

i completely sympathise, id rather sit something turning itself inside out throwing shapes than just setting off.

 

[ihatework]

Have a few private lunge lessons, these are invaluable to most riders at different stages but especially to novice and nervous.

 

[Bob notacob]

Dear Pony lover ,sorry to hear about your spill. Actually you should be pleased because it is number one .As kids we worked on the principle that you had to fall off seven times to be a rider. We kept count!. And it is true , the seven thing. By about number 5 it starts to get harder because you are learning fast .But ponies also learn and are tricky too. By number seven however you no longer fall off. Dont get me wrong ,you will hit the ground many many times in what I hope will be a long and happy riding career, but you wont just fall off. You then fall into the category of a rider who is unseated by a trickey horse .No shame in that. Chin up and get back out there and dont let the ponies win!

 

[vickyb]

Are you still riding the pony you fell from? I would ask for a different pony (and not ride the other pony again) and then work slowly (literally, at a walk, with lots of balancing exercises, until you are bored and want to move on) to getting your confidence back and improving your stability. A good instructor should be able to help you with this, although it will probably mean having a few individual lessons, which will push the cost up.
Many years ago I had a really nasty fall off a young horse (hospital job). When I was better my confidence was fine, except on that horse - he reduced me to a nervous wreck. I had to stop riding him as it was doing neither of us any good. Don't be hard on yourself, it's not something that's easily controlled, your brain is yelling 'danger danger!' and pumping you full of adrenalin in case you are put in a similar situation again. You will overcome this, just keep on keeping on.

 

[Pinkvboots]

But I don’t have lessons to learn how not to fall down them, professional riders don’t worry about about falling off, they just train to avoid it.

All riders worry about falling off at times professional or not what a stupid thing to say.

Lots of people loose confidence for various reasons and it's not as simple as don't dwell on it.

Have a bit of compassion.

 

[Baywonder]

I'm sorry to hear about your fall @P0ny Lover

I remember my first fall (almost 50 years ago now). I had only been riding for a few weeks, and the RS pony took off with me up a huge field. I hit the deck and it did shake me up. My instructor put me straight back on her pony, whilst the helpers caught mine who was happily doing laps of the field.

In later years, I had a nasty fall off my own horse, and I completely lost my confidence with him. He was sold not long after that. Those are just two falls I have had - and there were so many other falls I have lost count!

Confidence is so easily shattered and it takes time to put it all back together. Talk to your instructor, maybe have a change of pony, and don't be rushed into doing anything you are not comfortable with. It's okay to take a deep breath and start again at a point you are happy with.

 

[AthenesOwl]

I am a young rider, and I've had my first ever fall. It was a group leason and the pony I was riding took off, when I was ment to be trotting. It wasnt a bad fall and I didn't hurt myself. I've just had my 2nd lesson after my fall and I'm really struggling. I managed to have a small canter on my 1st lesson after my fall. But now I'm scared to trot let alone canter. I just keep thinking the pony could take off again and I'd fall off. It got so bad I broke down crying in my latest leason. Any tips on getting my confidence back?!

Sorry to hear your confidence has taken a knock after your fall. Please know that this happens to a lot of us, no matter how long we’ve been riding, and as a result there are lots of people out there who have good advice on getting your confidence back. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve physically hurt yourself or not, think of it as injuring your confidence.

As you ride in a riding school, is your instructor the kind who you’d be able to discuss your worries with? I’m sure they’ve taught many people in your situation before. Riding a different pony for a while is a good idea, and so is taking some one to one lessons so you can work at a level you feel comfortable with, rather than what the whole group is doing.

From my own experience, I’ve fallen off many times over the years, but had a nasty fall a couple of years ago from a horse who took off with me while hacking. I got straight back on him, rode him home, even leading the hack as the other horses were more nervous than him. But next time I rode him, it was dreadful and I couldn’t stop crying with nerves that he would do it again. I felt like such a fool. In the end, I gave up riding him, and went back to having lessons and hacking somewhere else that I felt more comfortable, even though it was much further from where I lived, and I gradually regained my confidence.

 

[Esmae]

I am a young rider, and I've had my first ever fall. It was a group leason and the pony I was riding took off, when I was ment to be trotting. It wasnt a bad fall and I didn't hurt myself. I've just had my 2nd lesson after my fall and I'm really struggling. I managed to have a small canter on my 1st lesson after my fall. But now I'm scared to trot let alone canter. I just keep thinking the pony could take off again and I'd fall off. It got so bad I broke down crying in my latest leason. Any tips on getting my confidence back?!

Sweetheart, welcome to the "test the ground club" Trust me, this will probably happen a lot over time. Everyone on here is a member. I take it you weren't hurt and take that as a positive. Try not to think about what has gone. Next time you get on, just go for a walk and sing. Loudly if you want. It helps your breathing and you will be thinking about that and not what Dobbin is likely to do next. Ask your instructor if you can do some exercises like touch your toes, lay right back and relax on the pony. All that done stood still. Get off and get on again. Lean forward and give him a cuddle. Anything like that that makes you interact while doing technically nothing but mentally doing a lot. Remember it isn't a race, take your time. Keep everything at walk for a few times then on the lunge you go and start to move forward again. Nobody expects you to be Mary King yet so don't think that you aren't good enough. Remember it is meant to be fun so make it fun. Explain to your instructor that you are feeling very nervy, you won't be the first or the last love. Good luck and keep us posted about your progress.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

But I don’t have lessons to learn how not to fall down them, professional riders don’t worry about about falling off, they just train to avoid it.

That is not helpful, people of all ages do worry about falling from an animal who has the potential to kill us by trampling or bolting, or bucking. I worry about falling off now, even though have fallen off many times in my life resulting on broken bones, but now I have a knee replacement I have more to worry about.


The poster is a young rider and many young riders get nervous, i should know taught enough of them in the past. They need a sympathetic ear, a quiet teacher and quiet pony to build the bridges again. One of my adult liveries' is going through the same, bronc off 3 times off her mare, nearly sold her, and currently having one to one lessons by my trainer which she is finding really helpful and confident making. Currently going to a show locally with her teacher meeting her, when you get nervous or are anxious, just telling someone to get on with it or not make a fuss. Does not help in anyway and if anything, makes that rider feel inadequate, stupid or pathetic, which is something they are not. Lighten up.

To add. A poster on here recommend this product which I bought and use when my mare is having one of her donut moments. It might help you Pony lover if you have something professionals use too. https://www.google.com/search?q=r+s...ate=ive&vld=cid:12f7a7b7,vid:jP3s-eVvh_8,st:0

 

[Goldie's mum]

I am a young rider, and I've had my first ever fall. It was a group leason and the pony I was riding took off, when I was ment to be trotting. It wasnt a bad fall and I didn't hurt myself. I've just had my 2nd lesson after my fall and I'm really struggling. I managed to have a small canter on my 1st lesson after my fall. But now I'm scared to trot let alone canter. I just keep thinking the pony could take off again and I'd fall off. It got so bad I broke down crying in my latest leason. Any tips on getting my confidence back?!

Hello, welcome to the forum.
Firstly you are not unusual! It's normal to feel shaken up by a fall. Well done for carrying on with your lessons and for coming here to ask what's next.
(If you encounter any dinosaurs of the "stiff upper lip never did me any harm" variety you should file them under ' of historical interest only' and carry on.)
Now your nerves - I'd do two things about it. Your fears are very specific so in the short term you need to trust that the pony isn't going to take off again , so I agree that you need to ask for a different pony that you feel more confident about.
In the longer term ask for help making your seat stable and practice "emergency stops" so you can work towards feeling that if it did happen again it wouldn't be frightening any more because you'd know what to do about it.
Well done & enjoy your riding.

 

[Kaylum]

Hiya do you wear a body protector? If not try one it might help with your confidence. I have fallen off the most gentle horse it was just a trip that I wasn't ready for. I had my body protector on and it helped me roll rather than land in a heap.

Go back to what your comfortable doing until your ready to move on.

 

[SEL]

I'm not young and I'm not inexperienced but falls can still rattle my confidence. Have a chat with the instructor because sometimes a change in horse works wonders.

I'm a late adopter of neck straps but fast becoming a fan!

 

[Esmae]

Sweetheart, welcome to the "test the ground club" Trust me, this will probably happen a lot over time. Everyone on here is a member. I take it you weren't hurt and take that as a positive. Try not to think about what has gone. Next time you get on, just go for a walk and sing. Loudly if you want. It helps your breathing and you will be thinking about that and not what Dobbin is likely to do next. Ask your instructor if you can do some exercises like touch your toes, lay right back and relax on the pony. All that done stood still. Get off and get on again. Lean forward and give him a cuddle. Anything like that that makes you interact while doing technically nothing but mentally doing a lot. Remember it isn't a race, take your time. Keep everything at walk for a few times then on the lunge you go and start to move forward again. Nobody expects you to be Mary King yet so don't think that you aren't good enough. Remember it is meant to be fun so make it fun. Explain to your instructor that you are feeling very nervy, you won't be the first or the last love. Good luck and keep us posted about your progress.

Oh and btw a very important but of kit is the "Oh sh1t strap!" Make sure you have that neck strap there and don't worry if you need to use it.

 

[YourValentine]

Dear Pony lover ,sorry to hear about your spill. Actually you should be pleased because it is number one .As kids we worked on the principle that you had to fall off seven times to be a rider. We kept count!. And it is true , the seven thing. By about number 5 it starts to get harder because you are learning fast .But ponies also learn and are tricky too. By number seven however you no longer fall off. Dont get me wrong ,you will hit the ground many many times in what I hope will be a long and happy riding career, but you wont just fall off. You then fall into the category of a rider who is unseated by a trickey horse .No shame in that. Chin up and get back out there and dont let the ponies win!

This! 100% this.

Except my mum said I had to fall off 12 times to be a rider...
Possibly because I was learning to ride on her horse who wasn't really suitable for a novice to learn on and fell off a lot

But one think my mums mare taught me was to stick on at speed as we did laps the field/arena/ up the lane home.

"Speed" doesn't hurt, just the falling off bit. And speed
isn't hard to sit if you relax and go with it and don’t panic/tense. Very easy to say when not sat on a horse, I know! I've been there got the t-shirt.

You've cantered in lessons, so if it happens again try to think about "riding the canter" and surviving till they stop (and they will, riding school horses are inherently lazy) and one day you will realise that not only are you riding the canter but you can control and stop it.

If riding the canter is too much to remember think about in a moment of stress, remember the universal advice that will be shouted at you by friends and instructors for as long as you ride:

"SIT UP!!" (And relax)

 

[KatieDM]

Recently started lessons again after riding weekly as a child/early teen. Had my first fall in lesson 2, just slipped and lost a stirrup in canter. My balance was so off. Wasn’t hurt and the lovely horse just stopped and looked at me like “What you doing down there?” In a way, I was so relieved to have that first fall. (Pretty sure I used to fall every other lesson!) I echo the above about taking some private lessons, talk about your fears and go through some exercises, at a slower pace. Ask what you need to do if a horse bolts — might sound simple but how would you know if you’ve only had a few lessons?! It’s hard to know and to stay calm. Also ask if you can have a neck strap for reassurance. Keep at it

 

[lynz88]

Next time you get on, just go for a walk and sing. Loudly if you want. It helps your breathing and you will be thinking about that and not what Dobbin is likely to do next. Ask your instructor if you can do some exercises like touch your toes, lay right back and relax on the pony.

This is GREAT advice. I usually end up talking to myself (and pretend I'm talking to my horse) when I'm feeling unsure. It is a great technique to keeping you more relaxed and not transferring the nervous energy onto the horse or pony.

OP, if it helps any I've been around horses for about 25 years and still lose confidence (in fact, you couldn't pay me to ride my horse out on the Downs atm but the majority of my fear is me coming off and horse galloping off and injuring himself tbh). I've come off countless times - sometimes with a laugh and me scratching my head thinking "wtf just happened there?" And other times much more serious. Getting back on and overcoming that "what if" adrenaline rush isn't always the most fun but, can surprisingly be incredibly rewarding having faced your fear (its actually that feeling that keeps me going).

Is it possible to take some steps back and maybe ask someone to lead and run with the pony at the trot? Or work 1 on 1 with an instructor? Have you been shown the 1-rein-emergency stop (I only learned this after suffering a concussion from a bolting horse)? I always also find myself grabbing a chunk of mane if I am not feeling quite confident - something I've been taught since first riding if unsure of said horse! Doesn't always work to stay on but had helped me out of a few sticky situations.

 

[lynz88]

To add. A poster on here recommend this product which I bought and use when my mare is having one of her donut moments. It might help you Pony lover if you have something professionals use too. https://www.google.com/search?q=r+s...ate=ive&vld=cid:12f7a7b7,vid:jP3s-eVvh_8,st:0

I like the looks of this little gadget as you can still ride with independent hands vs grabbing a chunk of mane.
 

 

[toppedoff]

Hi

This was me 4 weeks ago, I fell off 2 times in that lesson. First time was stupid, horse got excited cantering in a string I just didnt do me girth up enough and stopped then I flopped off with me saddle. The second fall, I got proper decked when she took off and spooked due to some visitors talking at the door. I didn't get back on, I had many falls before that and many were broncs, bucks, spooks and many more my own stupidity (I cried when I knew I could've sat something )

My instructors knew I wasn't happy and due to where I am we get more challenging horses and before this place I was a happy hacker. I could handle difficult ones in walk and trot but when we started cantering I felt out of control, couldn't do it and it was god awful.

On Friday last week, I got back on after returning from 4 weeks out the saddle. Back at the same place. I was so nervous, I wasn't nervous falling off but more it going wrong. I was on a horse I've never ridden but he was quiet and lazy. I did have bit of a cry as I was rusty and felt I was struggling especially being in front

Today I rode again 2 lots. First lot I was nervous still and felt nervous and a bit out of my depth and funny enough - This is the horse I rode the most back on my last group I was meant to be in front but my instructor could tell I wasn't confident to lead so someone else lead the string

Second lot I felt good, I relaxed, had a laugh when my horse stumbled on the concrete with me stirrups out and sat up tall.

You got this I promise, it is breaking that first barrier is what you need to do. I regret not having rhe lessons when I came home to try and keep myself going in the routine and find what went wrong and my bad habits