Most of us with horses will have confidence issues at some point this is especially so if we have had injuries such as broken bones as a result of falling off or witnessing a horse riding accident.
I’m writing this for myself as much as anyone else. This is me in February 2021
At our previous livery yard, before we created The Paddocks, while riding in the arena, Galaxy spooked at the chestnut in the next arena you can just see top right who was cantering towards us (he doesn’t like many other horses, especially near him).
I tried to hold on, but just couldn’t and fell to the left. As you can see, I was not prepared and instinctively put my arm out to try and stop myself, however at that speed and with my body weight behind the impact the small bones in the forearm stood no chance of absorbing that kind of shock!
This is my X-ray from a little while after this incident.
Following the impact seen below the precise moment of impact on this still from the cctv video.
After months in plaster feeling totally fed up and unable to get back in the saddle, my nerves shreds. It took me a good 6 lessons to be brave enough to trot for long let alone canter.
So as above my ‘instinct’ was to stick my arms out to save myself, fine if falling from the height of your body when your a young person, but I’m in my late 40’s and was hurled at speed! (see Facebook here for full video).
The set up of the 2 arenas was not ideal and Galaxy was definitely scared of the chestnut he thought was coming for him, so it was unfortunate, but had I learnt a new instinct I may have just got away with a few bruises.
Instinct
Also known as … sense, intuition, feel, idea, automatic response, impulse, hunch, gift, faculty, ability and natural tendency.
So what can we learn from this?
Being a registered nurse in my training many years ago we had to do lots of reflective essays about incidents and reports about things that could be done differently or improved. So this one was a new challenge.
My older daughter was told in pony club to roll up like a hedgehog! Great advice! They even practiced rolling away from a horse!
However I never went to pony club and only got more serious about riding in recent years, just imagine my daughter hadn’t told me this I never would have known! So I want to practice and also share!
Lets look at falling off horses in more detail
Reasons we fall off
- Your horse trips or spooks and you fall off.
- Your horse gets excited or has an underlying issue and bucks you off.
- Your horse refuses a fence, but throws you over it.
- Your horse over-jumps a fence and throws you out of the saddle.
- Your horse stops or turns suddenly and you slide off.
Directions we could fall off
Mainly over the front and there is jockey training specifically based on how to roll when falling forwards.
However as above I fell sideways so it’s best to be prepared for any direction.
So how do we prepare?
Having a good relationship with your horse and riding one to your level of riding is very important and above all else.
Always wear a riding hat. The following standards apply to riding hats and skull caps in the UK.
EN1384 1996 / BSEN 1384 1997 with CE mark.
Keep your head safe always wear it fastened and fitted correctly too.
I used to think wearing a body protector was only for cross country or jumping, but now I will always wear one again ensure it’s fitted for you.
Proper riding Boots with a heel stop the foot slipping through the stirrup and getting feet stuck and also safety stirrups with the rubber band at the side aid getting feet out in an emergency.
A neck strap or martingale strap can be used to hang on to, but it’s best to let go of this and reins if falling so you don’t get dragged along.
Balance
Practicing good balance can help keep you on board as long as possible, but doesn’t guarantee you won’t still fall off.
Practice balance on and off the horse for best results.
Be mentally prepared
Riding horses is a sport and all sport has risks. We are on top of a heavy living thing with its own mind and is not 100% bombproof despite what any advert may say. Most riders will fall off at some point. However it’s important to not over think and a fine line to become too scared to ride assuming it will happen.
Physically preparing
So back to instinct my instinct was to put my arm out to stop my self ahhhhhhhhh what a silly thing to do with hindsight. So to retrain my brain ?
How to Fall Off a Horse
Ok, so let us get into the instinct to fall off a horse safely.
ABC
A. Relax
B. Tuck
C. Roll
A. Relax
Whattt?.. Well try! To relax requires that you remain calm as tension in you or your body will cause you to want to break your fall and that is when you break things eg stick out your arm ?. If you feel yourself falling, don’t resist, just go with it. I know it is easier said than done, but when everything slows down when you start falling, remind yourself to relax!
B. Tuck
Tuck yourself into as small a ball as possible, irrespective of the direction of the fall. You are less likely to have any limbs sticking out and at the same time, this facilitates rolling away from your horse.
C. Roll Away From Your Horse
Whichever way you land, once you hit the ground roll yourself clear and keep rolling until you are out of the way of your horse or your horse’s legs so you don’t get trampled or kicked.
Then check yourself over if you can get up and walk go get your horse if you can’t shout for help.
Where possible get back on the horse.
How to practice
Video coming soon …..
1. Get a mattress, a pile of cushions or crash mat on the floor!
2. Throw yourself on to it into a ball – tuck in your arms and roll from your left from your right, forwards and backwards as many times as you like, have fun and even a laugh doing it.
The reason for this is not only to practice but to train your brain into the instinct of tucking and rolling.
Disclaimer – this does not guarantee you won’t get injured falling off a horse it’s just a way of preparing a safer way and minimising the instinct to stick your arms out.
See more about falling off