How to "safely" fall off?

I did the centre of horseback combat rider confidence course. Most of the practical bit focuses on emergency dismounts and the roll technique. I found it useful just from the point of view of working through it all in my head (we practised off a stationary wooden horse onto a mat). Whether brain would engage and time would allow in reality I dont know!
 
I'm glad this post started as I've been thinking a lot about falling off recently. I'm the same as Tally-lah in that I haven't fallen off in years either and I'm beginning to worry about what might happen when/if I next fall off. I've recently been diagnosed with EDS/hypermobility so I know that I bruise easily, feel pain at a low threshold and can potentially damage joints more easily than most people. I'll definitely look into finding a Martial Arts instructor as I'll be more confident if I know I've practised falling safely
 
I did the centre of horseback combat rider confidence course. A lot of the practical bit focuses on getting off whilst in motion, covering emergency dismount at speed, using the roll technique (practising off a wooden horse onto a mat) I personally found it useful just from the point of view of working through it in my mind more than anything. Whether brain would engage and time would allow in a real life situation I dont know!
 
I think most people who were learning to ride as children at the same time as me were taught to roll but were also expected to keep hold of the reins. I know one girl who was knocked uncons
cious when she fell xcountry and was rescued from a hedge with the reins still grasped in her fist.

I have only fallen off a very few times since having my own horses and haven't done myself much damage until my last fall. When I was bucked off the ID on the road, I had sat several bucks and knew that I couldn't stay with her much longer, I was falling towards the side of the road (at least not in danger of being run over) where I could see stones off the wall. I knew that I wouldn't have room to roll, so chose the least stoney patch I could see and dropped. Unfortunately because I couldn't roll my neck absorbed the impact and I needed a lot of physio for trapped nerves in my neck.
 
It is worth adding that you can still roll in a body protector, or at least the two that I have tried, but then, I was also taught to roll in full Kendo armour, as my Kendo instructor was also a Judo instructor.

It is not possible to roll in an air jacket, at least, not at the point of inflation.

You can 'flip' in both, but that's a more advanced technique and one that requires confidence and a soft landing zone to get the hang of.

If you got to a Martial Arts group, ask the instructor if they use breakfalls as not all arts do, including many schools of Karate.

As for falling from static / wooden horses. I never found that very constructive, as many real falls take place while on the move; forwards, backwards or while spinning in circles! So I used to train from a walk or run.
 
We had a demo of this at pony club camp, they told us to tuck and roll? I think? I must admit that it is not the first thing that comes into my mind when I'm about to hit the floor!
 
i fell off today - as an earlier poster described - in a horrid way - in an arena having just come over a jump heading for a wall (why did the course designer do that???) I assumed horse was going left with me andshe went right. I'm totally gutted and I can tell no one I know - so I hope no one I know is reading this. Im so ashamed. Isold my last horse because he was getting old and was always dumping me in front of a jump - I must have fallen off at least 20 times this year - and I'm nearly 60 so no spring chicken. I sold him, as I thought the dumping was due to him getting old and not wanting to jump any more - so he has a fab retirement home now. I bought my new mare 3 months ago and didnt fall off for three months and have done plenty jumping. Then ten days ago I fell off, and today I did so again.
I feel its just confirming me as a rotten rider and I know ppl are sick of it, my family, yard mates everyone - so I cant tell anyone but I feel so rotten, this wasnt supposed to happen xxx
 
I just practice a lot! Last one was a sideways spook mid gallop, no time to think so landed on my head on a field and smashed a hole in my helmet. Previous 2 the horse fell and it all felt pretty slow motion so I could consciously think to tuck and roll (especially one of them as I was aware that my horse was upside down like a stuck beetle and thought he was rolling my way!) the ones before that have been mostly whilst in the early rodeo stages of our relationship. Again with bucks it goes all slow mo for me so I have time to curl up and land on a comfy bit. (I'd like to point out I don't just wander around falling off all the time, I stick a lot of stuff too! I'm not scared to hit the deck but I do try to avoid it!)
 
NeilM said:
Learning to fall seems to have gained popularity, which is good. A few years ago I began teaching people how to fall safely, I gained my knowledge from 25 years of martial arts training to the point where rolling became second nature.

When I came back to riding six years ago, I was always falling off, for a variety of reasons, some to do with me, and some to do with my pony. I never hurt myself, not once; I even fell on stony ground after I positioned myself appallingly badly while going over a jump, I didn't have so much as a bruise.

If you can tuck and roll it will help, but also remain relaxed, tensing up and waiting for the BANG is where the bruising comes from. Of course there are a lot of falls that are really never going to end well, landing on your feet or on your behind (as others have already said) for instance.

If you want to learn to tuck and roll, find your nearest Martial Arts group, especially Judo, Aikido, Jujutsu, Ninjutsu and have a word with the instructor, I am sure that for a small fee / contribution to club funds, they will be happy to show you the basics, that you can then practice in the comfort of your own garden / field / school. There are also a lot of good youtube video's that cover the same subject.
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Can definately second don't land on your feet - bilateral ankle fracture dislocations later it's definately not a good idea!
I've done 9 years judo and when I bailed intended to roll etc, apparently horse disagreed with me and jinked sideways as I bailed (so I'm told, don't remember that bit) and I managed to land on my feet.
 
mynutmeg said:
Can definately second don't land on your feet - bilateral ankle fracture dislocations later it's definately not a good idea!
I've done 9 years judo and when I bailed intended to roll etc, apparently horse disagreed with me and jinked sideways as I bailed (so I'm told, don't remember that bit) and I managed to land on my feet.
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I know the feeling, after 25 years training and countless falls from horses without a scratch, two years ago I took a slow motion (car assisted) fall from a mountain bike. Straight up, straight down and THUMP, like a big bag of doodoo's. Result? A permanently dislocated collar bone and a month off work.
 
I have never had time to think about how I'm going to fall. It all happens before I've realised what's going on. One minute on a horse, next second eating dirt and hurting. Worst thing is if you have a horse that legs it afterwards. Terror or them being hurt on roads, and you a long walk home.
 
There is no safe way to fall off. There are techniques you can learn that will minimise your injury, but ultimately falling from a height, normally at speed will at some point, regardless of what you do, result in something going twang. The tuck and roll, will only work at speed, my jujitsu breakfall only works on those slow mo falls, but when I ended up with a spinal injury the Doctor said it was the straw that broke the camels back, I.e. I'd had so many falls which resulted in me landing on my bum or legs then rolling, and my spine took the force, eventually it "gave", and nothing would have prevented it.
 
1) relax
2) try and curl up in a ball and roll...ie don't try and stop yourself with your arms
3) keep your eyes open (if possible) to be aware of horse
4) Try and keep hold of reins but don't hold on if being dragged
5) don't rush to get up...take a moment to breathe and think "is everything still in one piece"
6) Don't cry you get a pound if you don't cry ;)

this is a compilation of everything I've ever been told, just don't think about it
 
LittleRocketRider said:
1) relax
2) try and curl up in a ball and roll...ie don't try and stop yourself with your arms
3) keep your eyes open (if possible) to be aware of horse
4) Try and keep hold of reins but don't hold on if being dragged
5) don't rush to get up...take a moment to breathe and think "is everything still in one piece"
6) Don't cry you get a pound if you don't cry ;)





this is a compilation of everything I've ever been told, just don't think about it
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Dont cry? I owe 500 quid x
 
Don't beat yourself up about it! It happens! I do find that Pilates helps with core stability so improves balance when things go wrong, and always trying to expect the unexpected! Also try to not make assumptions as to where the horse may take you, you take them where you want to go. Don't be so hard on yourself, the ground is hard enough!
 
pepsimaxrock said:
i fell off today - as an earlier poster described - in a horrid way - in an arena having just come over a jump heading for a wall (why did the course designer do that???) I assumed horse was going left with me andshe went right. I'm totally gutted and I can tell no one I know - so I hope no one I know is reading this. Im so ashamed. Isold my last horse because he was getting old and was always dumping me in front of a jump - I must have fallen off at least 20 times this year - and I'm nearly 60 so no spring chicken. I sold him, as I thought the dumping was due to him getting old and not wanting to jump any more - so he has a fab retirement home now. I bought my new mare 3 months ago and didnt fall off for three months and have done plenty jumping. Then ten days ago I fell off, and today I did so again.
I feel its just confirming me as a rotten rider and I know ppl are sick of it, my family, yard mates everyone - so I cant tell anyone but I feel so rotten, this wasnt supposed to happen xxx
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Above post was meant to quote this. Silly phone
 
redders said:
Don't beat yourself up about it! It happens! I do find that Pilates helps with core stability so improves balance when things go wrong, and always trying to expect the unexpected! Also try to not make assumptions as to where the horse may take you, you take them where you want to go. Don't be so hard on yourself, the ground is hard enough!
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That's interesting, what you say about pilates, I have done yoga for years and have a pretty strong core which I have always felt has helped to keep my balanced in tricky situations.
 
I started doing it as my back is in tatters, and needed a stronger core to help keep it together, and after a few weeks noticed myself feeling stronger in the saddle, I still have falls (young unbalanced but sweet mare) but have managed to sit some stuff that has impressed spectators, so I figure it must be helping!
 
Pepsimaxrock I'm wondering if you're coming into fences slightly ahead of the vertical (ie almost in jumping position)? I notice quite a few people do this, and it's one thing that increases you coming off if a horse refuses/ducks out/spooks. Don't be afraid to tell people or get help. It's normal.

OP I'm like you. I don't fall off much and never have so I too have a fear. I have a also had 3 recent shoulder ops and a lot of time off work (and therefore loss of wages) and have been told that any future shoulder ops will be a bigger deal, so I'm even more scared of landing on my shoulder! It's a nasty circle as the more nervous and worried you are the worse you fall. I haven't jumped properly for years, which is a shame as my mare and I are ageing and used to be good!
 
A great tip I was given by a jump jockey - as you fall, keep looking up at the horses withers. Apparently this puts you in good landing position, with head and neck off the ground, and starts you rotating ready to roll.
I am usually too busy cussing myself or the pheasant or what ever caused the fall to remember until too late :(
 
LittleRocketRider said:
1) relax
2) try and curl up in a ball and roll...ie don't try and stop yourself with your arms
3) keep your eyes open (if possible) to be aware of horse
4) Try and keep hold of reins but don't hold on if being dragged
5) don't rush to get up...take a moment to breathe and think "is everything still in one piece"
6) Don't cry you get a pound if you don't cry ;)

this is a compilation of everything I've ever been told, just don't think about it
Click to expand...


What about swearing? 'cos I find that really helps as I'm picking myself up off of the ground. Again.
 
Honey08 said:
Pepsimaxrock I'm wondering if you're coming into fences slightly ahead of the vertical (ie almost in jumping position)? I notice quite a few people do this, and it's one thing that increases you coming off if a horse refuses/ducks out/spooks. Don't be afraid to tell people or get help. It's normal.

OP I'm like you. I don't fall off much and never have so I too have a fear. I have a also had 3 recent shoulder ops and a lot of time off work (and therefore loss of wages) and have been told that any future shoulder ops will be a bigger deal, so I'm even more scared of landing on my shoulder! It's a nasty circle as the more nervous and worried you are the worse you fall. I haven't jumped properly for years, which is a shame as my mare and I are ageing and used to be good!
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Sorry to hear about your shoulder. I really hope you don't need any more ops.

Like I say, I have come off once, this summer gone, I hadn't done my Welsh D's girth up properly and had only been in five minutes, she's very fresh when I first start riding and takes a while to settle. She spooked and spinned, causing the saddle to slip right to the side and I went with it, would have been ok but then, because she was freaked out by the saddle proceeded to bronc across the field. I exited, landing on my knee! It does make you think about it and now I have an obsession with making sure my girth is done up tight enough before I mount! lol.
 
Tally-lah said:
Sorry to hear about your shoulder. I really hope you don't need any more ops.

Like I say, I have come off once, this summer gone, I hadn't done my Welsh D's girth up properly and had only been in five minutes, she's very fresh when I first start riding and takes a while to settle. She spooked and spinned, causing the saddle to slip right to the side and I went with it, would have been ok but then, because she was freaked out by the saddle proceeded to bronc across the field. I exited, landing on my knee! It does make you think about it and now I have an obsession with making sure my girth is done up tight enough before I mount! lol.
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My last fall was as a result of me not tightening the girth (complete schoolgirl error/brain failure as was re-mounting) saddle slipped to the left (not completely) and she lost it (cue me mounted for only a very short time). I will def have a girth tightening obsession going forward!!
 
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