Following on from my fall..

[Jinx94]

A bit over a month ago I posted about a fall I had after being put on the "wrong horse".

I didn't hop straight back on as I was shaking a lot and possibly in shock, plus I had to clean up my arm, however I was back in the saddle the next day with no problems at all.

Today was my first day back at that yard (I really get along with the people and do love the horses, I also keep my own first aid kit in the car!) and the first horse that I tried to exercise was one that I hadn't ridden before. I wasn't bothered about riding, but then started getting a little nervous as we got into the arena. It felt like it took a lot of effort to steel myself to get into the saddle, but once I was there, I was fine. The mare was really responsive, but her canter felt like she had an extra leg and I found myself shaking and panicking, unable to carry on. I kept trying but couldn't maintain it at all as I felt so unbalanced, and my body wasn't responding to deep breathing, sitting deep and the reminders that this was a different horse that would not rush off with me. Eventually the other rider and I swapped, so she exercised this mare whilst I cooled down the other - not a problem.

It shook me up that I was suddenly so nervous, but I pushed on, exercised the next horse with no problems but then the third didn't stand still when I mounted. He was very eager to get going (which hadn't bothered me when I last rode him in the first few days after my fall), and again, I started shaking and panicking as this was exactly what was done by the horse I fell from just before he took off. As soon as we got going it was fine. I really relaxed and was able to enjoy myself.

Knowing that I want to continue to work with horses, I'm aware that I have to get through this panicking. The only way I can think to do this is to ride horses that are known to rush or jig about during and immediately after mounting, but my reactions today really freaked me out and at this point in time, I don't know that I could cope.

This was mostly for venting, but any advice/experiences would be welcomed, thanks to all that read this xx

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I think you are going too quickly. Get used to riding horses that are known to be safe, in the place where you had your fall, before getting on the 'quirky' ones. When you are completely confident on them it will be time to try some of the more difficult horses. Don't worry, you will get back to where you were before the fall, this is just a temporary setback.

 

[Elvis]

There are two schools of thought regarding nervousness after a fall, either, as you've said, ride as many fresh jittery horses as possible and work your way through it, which is fine if you don't have another bad experience. Or you start slowly, riding horses that will give you confidence and work up to the fresher ones once you feel that your nerves are under control.

I can't say which way is 'right' everyone is different. Good luck though.

 

[madmav]

I do empathise with this. Think you have to go right back to basics and ride horses you can trust and build up from there. Find the right ones that will empower you. As we all know, a horse will pick up on nerves. Once you're feeling more centred, you can sit on the trickier ones. Worked for me, anyway. Good luck with it.

 

[undergroundoli]

Maybe lunge lessons so control is someone elses problem?