Tips for getting back on

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Surbie

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I had a fall 3 weeks ago tomorrow. It was during a jump lesson, and I don't remember a thing about it other than waking up in A&E. Other than a thorough concussion, I hurt my lower back.

Mostly I am now fine - I'm now driving again, though not far, and Cobbus is back on DIY. (I am so SO grateful to my fab YM and friend for all their help with him!). I was told not to ride for at least 2 weeks and preferably 3, so that's now looming. My back's still pretty sore.

The problem is that the more my friends ask me if I am worried about getting back on, the more I am starting to. My horse is a soppy fuzzball and, bar the mild spook, is pretty straightforward which suits a novice rider like me. I find myself getting teary & panicky at the thought of riding, and then at the thought of not riding - I miss it so much more than I thought.

I haven't sat down with my YM who was teaching me, to talk about what happened and perhaps why she thinks it did.

I really don't want to be stuck like this so, if you've been somewhere similar, what's helped?
 
Good friends are invaluable in this situation. Be very honest with them. They'll know how far to push you. How about a little hack around the block with someone walking on foot with you? Baby steps for a while then you'll soon wonder what all the fuss was about. It's a horrible feeling. Hope you're back to enjoying your riding soon.
 
I have helped people who have had a long break due to injury. First off we lunge and long rein with the tack on, so it looks inviting up there and the horse is worked and settled. Then the first time is also just a little sit, maybe walk a circle and get off again.

That then all feels like a huge anticlimax and the rider can't wait to get back on and get cracking.

I suppose it is like reverse psychology, I go even slower than the rider wants so then it is the rider wanting to get going and do more rather than me pushing.

One mother returning after a year off for pregnancy got on intending to do a little walk round and ended up doing a full session, including some X poles. But that was from a perspective of taking it as slowly as she wanted. It just felt OK to her when she got up there.

Conversely, another person who had broken their back really did just do a little sit and walk round the first time. A few weeks later she was flying though.
 
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Start withthe assumption that all you are going to do is lie across the saddle... like backing a baby... and get off again . If that’s all you do that’s great .. if you swing your leg over and sit up then I’d stop there day one and give yourself a pat on the back then take it from there on a lead rein at first... keep it boring as xxxx for a few days and then go on the lunge slowly slowly step by step
 
I've been in this postion a couple of times now, so I totally get what you are feeling. First of all, I think its really important that you feel properly recovered, don't start riding again until your back feels OK and then take really small steps that build your confidence slowly but try to do a bit more each time. That's what I've always done and it works for me. You decide the small step but if you have a RI/trainer that you really trust, work with them and let them push you to do just a little more if you can. I think it can help if someone rides your horse first then you get on for the second part of a lesson. Good luck, dont give up because you will get there.
 
When I had a bad fall a few years ago I felt sick at the thought of riding for about a month, knowing I needed to get back on and see if I was going to ride again, rather than get back on my horse I booked myself a private lesson at a local riding school on their ploddiest plod having explained the situation. I was quite prepared to get straight off if didn't feel right as it was I did the whole half hour and was then happy to start again slowly on my own. It also made me appreciate how much easier mine were to ride compared to RS horses- an added bonus!
Just give yourself time and take it slowly
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Surbie said:
I had a fall 3 weeks ago tomorrow. It was during a jump lesson, and I don't remember a thing about it other than waking up in A&E. Other than a thorough concussion, I hurt my lower back.

Mostly I am now fine - I'm now driving again, though not far, and Cobbus is back on DIY. (I am so SO grateful to my fab YM and friend for all their help with him!). I was told not to ride for at least 2 weeks and preferably 3, so that's now looming. My back's still pretty sore.

The problem is that the more my friends ask me if I am worried about getting back on, the more I am starting to. My horse is a soppy fuzzball and, bar the mild spook, is pretty straightforward which suits a novice rider like me. I find myself getting teary & panicky at the thought of riding, and then at the thought of not riding - I miss it so much more than I thought.

I haven't sat down with my YM who was teaching me, to talk about what happened and perhaps why she thinks it did.

I really don't want to be stuck like this so, if you've been somewhere similar, what's helped?
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If your back is still sore please do not get back on (unless you just want to sit). Your body is not ready and your muscles will stiffen up to protect it. Get some advice on exercises or have a physio session or even just a good massage. When you are more relaxed then you can start slowly as others have suggested. The pain may be in your body but the anxiety is all in your head so give yourself time to process what happened with the help of friends and your instructor. Good luck.
 
My last fall wasn’t nearly as hard as yours, just a broken rib and bruised kidney. Thinking or talking actually made my anxiety worse as I kept rewinding/reliving it. Agree with what’s already been suggested, don’t ride until your back is pain-free (but spend lots of time on the ground with your lovely boy 😊) and when you do get back on just do the smallest, simplest, most boring stuff. Good luck!
 
I was nervous getting back on Blue after we parted company while I was mounting. I asked a friend to stand by her head, just in case, and my plan was to get on, then get straight off. As soon as I was on board, I didn't want to get off, so we went for a nice little hack! In my experience, once you're actually on, the nerves vanish - especially if you've got a clever, sensible horse like yours.

(But I agree with all the people saying not to do it until you're pain-free. You wouldn't expect your horse to work while still hurting, so don't expect it of yourself.)
 
Surbie said:
I had a fall 3 weeks ago tomorrow. It was during a jump lesson, and I don't remember a thing about it other than waking up in A&E. Other than a thorough concussion, I hurt my lower back.

Mostly I am now fine - I'm now driving again, though not far, and Cobbus is back on DIY. (I am so SO grateful to my fab YM and friend for all their help with him!). I was told not to ride for at least 2 weeks and preferably 3, so that's now looming. My back's still pretty sore.

The problem is that the more my friends ask me if I am worried about getting back on, the more I am starting to. My horse is a soppy fuzzball and, bar the mild spook, is pretty straightforward which suits a novice rider like me. I find myself getting teary & panicky at the thought of riding, and then at the thought of not riding - I miss it so much more than I thought.

I haven't sat down with my YM who was teaching me, to talk about what happened and perhaps why she thinks it did.

I really don't want to be stuck like this so, if you've been somewhere similar, what's helped?
Click to expand...
one thing that has helped me is. https://www.lovecbd.org/
 
All of the above!
I would also add, is the problem getting on in general or more specific to your own horse? If it's yours, do any of your friends/fellow liveries have a nice steady Eddie you can borrow for a sit on once or twice just to ease you back in?
 
I had a fall at the end of July and fractured a vertebra, I didn't ride until about 3/4 weeks ago, which was about 7/8 weeks after it happened. My back was still a bit stiff, but actually riding has helped it, so not entirely in agreement with not riding until you feel 100% OK, for me that might have taken many more weeks or months. I took the attitude that waiting longer was going to be counter productive and that I'd be better to just get on, even if it was for a few mins. to being with. I couldn't see how that could hurt!!
The first time I got the girl who has been riding my mare to do 15 mins on her, then I just got on for 10 mins walking in the arena. It was fine and I built it up from there, adding 5/10 mins per week, so now I am riding for 45-50 mins most days again. Trotting and cantering in the arena and hacking out simple routes. Honestly, it's amazing how quickly you will get back to normal, good luck :)
 
If you are sore, you are not ready to ride. I came off a month ago & hurt my ribs, (though not as bad as before). I am itching to get back on board but am sticking to lunging the beast atm, because he bucked me off after having no work since July. I need to get him back into 'work mode' first and it has been suggested I ride one that isn't going to dump me just to make sure my aches and pains are gone. Take thing slowly and as others have said baby steps first.
 
I had a fall in July and was pretty hurt, but my poor pony also completely lost his confidence - so don’t forget him and his worries?

my advice would be to sharpen your long reining and lunging skills and only get on when you really really really want to?

in the meantime maybe get a ride on a schoolmaster and maybe see someone else riding your horse before you do?
 
when i had my new hip i was really worried about riding my mare as she could explode and hadnt been ridden for 12 weeks while i was recovering.... i took her to a friends yard and he held her while i got on and then walked round the school with me still with a leading rein on just in case. as she didnt explode in the first few minutes i knew she was going to be ok.and i rode for another 15mins on my own. i was fine after that first ride, so you could try something like that or get a friend to ride yours first and then you get on while he is being held..good luck
 
I've been a very nervous rider since one of my falls, I find what has helped me is

1) having an instructor who I trust and knows my ability on the ground (my instructor at the time just destroyed any confidence I had left even more and made me hate riding)

2) riding a horse I trust or that I know if they do play up I know I can handle it
 
I broke my back (horse I was exercising reared and went over backwards) and I spent 6 months in Stoke Mandeville, and then 6 months recovery at home. My friend put me up on her 4 y/o and lunged me on the beach......just walking at first, but quickly trotting. The pain was almost unbearable, but the joy of being back on a horse was so wonderful. (I was told I would never ride again.) Get back in....it's not terrible, it's beautiful. :)
 
Thank you everyone for tips and taking the time to respond, it's much appreciated & given me a lot to think of trying.

Good point about my horse's stress. Arch is a little confused I think, but his main routine has been kept to. I've started leading him out in hand each day for a brisk walk for 45 minutes. One of the fab liveries hacked him out today and I have lunged him once. So far he's been foot perfect, and his substantial bottom was apparently used to stop another horse tanking past on the hack.

I need a new hat first, but was thinking to get back on early next week. I had initially written the fall off as a freak accident. I have a very worried friend who was there throughout, who's been through hell herself recently and who is very anxious about me. I love her dearly but her anxiety for me, and lack of confidence in me and my horse, is impacting on me quite a lot.

Am sitting down with my YM tomorrow to plan getting on and a couple of liveries have offered to nanny me up and down the lanes if I want, which is very kind.
 
Confidence is such a fragile thing. I like Karl Greenwood’s (centre of horseback combat) philosophy, always have a plan so if first day what you want to do is get on and walk to the gate & back on ground with someone and he’s a good boy then goal achieved. Ride little & often to build up positive experiences in your mind.
 
Sorry to hear you had a bad fall. The situation is always more confidence knocking when you are unable to get straight back on.

Picking apart the situation may not help now (unless it was something), as you (general) can start to second guess every ear twitch.

Take it back to basics, ground work and short sessions with help off the horse. Talking to a sports coach isn’t to be sniffed at either, a previous sponsor helped me loads with my competing anxieties.
 
You'll get your confidence back. I have NO doubt about that. Horses are just too wonderful to not be a part of your life, and your confidence will grow and grow. The horse in my pic is an ex-racehorse that I bought after my accident. (I had a rich husband then!! lol) I was told that a bad fall might kill me but I knew I would die happy if that was the case. I did come off him a few times.....not his fault.....until we became a team and understood each other. I sincerely wish you all the very best. xx
 
Really pleased you've been doing stuff with Arch, the boy must have missed you, and pleased you have a plan to get the new hat and get back on. I think you know you'll have to put some distance between you and your (worried) friend. She has her problems and I feel sorry for her, but you really don't need negativity and anxiety, it's not going to help you.
 
Red-1 said:
I have helped people who have had a long break due to injury. First off we lunge and long rein with the tack on, so it looks inviting up there and the horse is worked and settled. Then the first time is also just a little sit, maybe walk a circle and get off again.

That then all feels like a huge anticlimax and the rider can't wait to get back on and get cracking.

I suppose it is like reverse psychology, I go even slower than the rider wants so then it is the rider wanting to get going and do more rather than me pushing.

One mother returning after a year off for pregnancy got on intending to do a little walk round and ended up doing a full session, including some X poles. But that was from a perspective of taking it as slowly as she wanted. It just felt OK to her when she got up there.

Conversely, another person who had broken their back really did just do a little sit and walk round the first time. A few weeks later she was flying though.
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I love the above post.

(Pressing 'like' didn't feel adequate.)

Surbie said:
Am sitting down with my YM tomorrow to plan getting on and a couple of liveries have offered to nanny me up and down the lanes if I want, which is very kind.
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I think that's the first thing to do, really. Find out exactly what happened.

Then I'd wait until your back was feeling right.

Then (if it were me) I'd probably just want someone to lead me around a bit.

I'd had a break from horses and riding and when I got a horse again, I was chicken to ride her. My husband came out with me to the paddock and lead me around a little, and I remember him saying, "You look kind of perched on up there..."

I said, "That's because I am perched. I'm terrified." I was as stiff as a board.

It's all about confidence, isn't it.
 
If your back is still sore then please get it checked out! One of our lads had a fall (racing fall so pretty hefty) had a sore back but was given the all clear from the hospital. 2 weeks later took another fall (a soft one this time but did get a knock to the head from another horses hoof) and because he went to hospital with concussion the CT scanned him - they do full body checks on jockeys as a matter of course - they found 3 small fractures to his vertebrae's. These would never have been found without a second hospital visit (ok not ideal circumstances but hey!) He doesn't need a brace or anything, just taking it easy for a few weeks. He is due to go for his, hopefuly final, check up soon then straight back to work and race riding.

If your back is still sore then INSIST on it being checked properly!
 
Speaking from experience, actually building up to getting on can be more terrifying than the actual ride. Just build up slowly, get on when you are ready (or in some of the best cases..when bloody told to by a friend or instructor who tend to know your ability more than you do) and keep it to that. Who says you have to do anything!? Get on, get off again. No harm. Next time you get on, you may or may not want to walk...go with how you feel (or again..what you are bloody told to) if it gets too much or you feel you have achieved what you set out to in that space of time get back off. Horse won't mind or care a toot...you are not training your horse in this instance you are re-training yourself. Slowly you will build yourself up again and it WILL make you stronger because you will learn the tools to help you. My best ever instruction was if you're freaking out just get off, calm down, try again. Repetition is the key!
 
equi said:
Who says you have to do anything!? Get on, get off again. No harm.
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The reason I suggest a short walk is because if you get on via a mounting block, which I like as you are half way up there already and it is a simple step, then the mounting block is in the way for getting off again!

So I pre-warn people that we will walk a small circle, even if that is just to get out of the way of the mounting block.

Some mounting blocks are stable enough to get off onto, but even so, most people habitually get on via a mounting block and get off straight to the floor. If you don't do any walking then you have to get off onto the mounting block and that can feel really clumsy and not what you need when not confident.

The first time I found this out was with a rider who I promised did not have to walk, but then getting off was not the nice, happy, confident experience we wanted. Pre-warning people that you will walk a circle means they have already accepted that.
 
I got back on today. Not sure if this is a grin/grimace/rictus of fear...

I had a session with a sports psychologist yesterday which was very useful and was honestly just fed up with myself for putting it off for the last few days. My back isn't sore any more.

I am hugely grateful for all the help on here. Thank you so much.

One of my fab friends stood in the wind and pouring rain to lend me moral support and that helped a lot. We only walked. But we walked a fair amount in the school. He treated me to a small spook on the long edge of the school where the monsters live, and it felt fine. And my lovely Yard Manager 'just happened' to be walking out to the road and back on one of the older sensible mares and said I could join her if I felt like it. Just what I needed. People can be so bloody lovely.

We have talked about what happened. My YM is strongly of the opinion I shouldn't jump him regularly anymore - she said it was a thoroughly dirty stop and he wanted me off when I was unbalanced from his refusal/running out. And perhaps we had been doing a little too much at once a week - he's usually a scaredy cat but genuine. He's since been checked out and all seems well. I trust her opinion, so it will be the occasional thing when we are out, if he feels like he wants to, and otherwise I will go to a RS for jump lessons. Jumping's never been my thing, I need to remember that - or get a second that likes jumping!

First time back on 25 Oct.jpeg
 
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