Horse spooked in fast canter and fell

[NikKnock]

I was ok, he was ok but I wonder how I trust my horse to canter, let alone gallop if I'm going to be worried he'll spook and potentially fall again? Is there a way to get a horse "through" the worst of this behaviour? And is there a way to ride so you're "armed" but still enjoying the speed? It was on a fun ride with a three other horses and many other horses in the distance so he was pretty damn excited; he'd even reared at the beginning which he'd never done before.

 

[Keira 8888]

What did he spook at? Are you ok? X

 

[NikKnock]

That's the thing, no idea, it all happen very fast. I'm fine- slight concussion but only learned that later today, I got back on and we jumped a few xc jumps on way round and I guess he calmed down a little bit after the shock of the fall.

 

[Keira 8888]

Glad you’re ok ?

You did well to get back on ? I guess you need to find a way to push forward and not dwell on what happened. You can anticipate some things like scarey objects, dogs, bin day (!!) but some things just happen so quickly! I think you were just unlucky and it was one of those things, but you dealt with it and got back on. It takes guts to ride horses, especially at speed! I think you should do another canter as soon as you can and it will help get rid of the bad memories. He was obvs just excited and it was nothing nasty. You’ve got this ?

 

[Spotherisk]

Pick the people you ride with in those situations. I’ve done plenty of fun rides, sometimes nannying other young horses,and we might plan to do a short steady canter a few times near the end. It’s easier to start steady and increase speed later! Hope you’re okay, take it easy with concussion.

 

[Bucked_off]

Glad you're doing ok! Something I do when I'm galloping on a crazy horse (Not that yours is, mine is though ) is I'll shorten my reins but ride with my arms further out instead of bent at the elbow- so the reins aren't pulling on his mouth but I don't have to pull back very far at all to get more contact if I need to.
Does he trip/fall often, or was this more of a one-time thing?

 

[MissTyc]

It can happen, just like it can also happen on a circle on tight turn or even on a surface. You need to let it leave your mind - build up your confidence slowly and remember that your horse probably learned a lesson, too.

 

[NikKnock]

Glad you’re ok ?

You did well to get back on ? I guess you need to find a way to push forward and not dwell on what happened. You can anticipate some things like scarey objects, dogs, bin day (!!) but some things just happen so quickly! I think you were just unlucky and it was one of those things, but you dealt with it and got back on. It takes guts to ride horses, especially at speed! I think you should do another canter as soon as you can and it will help get rid of the bad memories. He was obvs just excited and it was nothing nasty. You’ve got this ?

Thank you, I think I need to do more of this stuff and get him used to it . And me!

 

[NikKnock]

Pick the people you ride with in those situations. I’ve done plenty of fun rides, sometimes nannying other young horses,and we might plan to do a short steady canter a few times near the end. It’s easier to start steady and increase speed later! Hope you’re okay, take it easy with concussion.

My thoughts exactly, I'm going to hire the course with a friend so he does it quietly with her and next time there's a fun ride there just go with her.

 

[NikKnock]

Glad you're doing ok! Something I do when I'm galloping on a crazy horse (Not that yours is, mine is though ) is I'll shorten my reins but ride with my arms further out instead of bent at the elbow- so the reins aren't pulling on his mouth but I don't have to pull back very far at all to get more contact if I need to.
Does he trip/fall often, or was this more of a one-time thing?

That's a great idea with the reins, thanks. He used to trip a lot when I first got him but he doesn't now he's free of worms and generally stronger and fitter, this happened at fast canter and massive sideways spook, possibly he hit churned up edge of crop field, he just sort of twisted and lost his balance. I'm hoping if a horse experiences something like this they might be a bit more careful and sensible next time - wishful thinking !

 

[NikKnock]

It can happen, just like it can also happen on a circle on tight turn or even on a surface. You need to let it leave your mind - build up your confidence slowly and remember that your horse probably learned a lesson, too.

Thanks. I guess its all part and parcel of riding. We are both fine, totally unhurt just a bit dizzy for a day on my part. He is green for his age rising 9, a small thoroughbred, so he's going to get excited and I guess I need to expose him to lots so he eventually takes it all in his stride.

 

[paddi22]

I do endurance rides (the short loops) with my youngsters. they get to find their balance over different terrain, and get used to being outdoors, without all the crazy adrenaline/busyness of fun rides. it also a great way to get them cantering over uneven surfaces. as a rider you have to make sure you understand how your balance is affecting them in canter too. for example if you were leaning forward to much, it wouldn't have helped. when your balance is back a bit and correct, you can often help them recover from stumbles. going to an xc course and riding up and down banks and steps is a great way to teach him bale and also perfect your own balance on him.

 

[NikKnock]

I do endurance rides (the short loops) with my youngsters. they get to find their balance over different terrain, and get used to being outdoors, without all the crazy adrenaline/busyness of fun rides. it also a great way to get them cantering over uneven surfaces. as a rider you have to make sure you understand how your balance is affecting them in canter too. for example if you were leaning forward to much, it wouldn't have helped. when your balance is back a bit and correct, you can often help them recover from stumbles. going to an xc course and riding up and down banks and steps is a great way to teach him bale and also perfect your own balance on him.

Great thanks. I definitely need to do more stuff like that but without all the other horses around exciting him.