This post is for all those equestrians out there who have experienced both the joys and ugly sides of riding.
I rode yesterday on one of my favorite ponies, Ken, and we had a fantastic warm up, him responding well to my leg and extending and collecting his strides when I asked. Before jumping we started warming up over a serpentine of cavaletti to work on keeping our strides slow with tight turns, and Ken was perfect. However, as we came around the far side of the arena to do the exercise a second time Ken started spooking at something that caught his eye. Because of this I circled him and continued on, keeping a tighter rein in that spot. However Ken spooked again, but this time so much that he broke out into a full on run, galloping down the long side of the arena to the other side, where he let out huge bucks, one after the other. Despite pushing my heels down to secure my balance and giving and taking on the reins, I was sent flying from the saddle, where I landed flat on my back, leaving Ken to run off bucking in the corner.
Despite the huge amount of pain that broke out in my back I slowly got up and walked over to Ken, who was trotting over to me. The look in his eyes was that of a "What happened to you? I'm sorry I bucked you off!" As I patted him and made sure he was okay my trainer came running over, stating how she had never seen Ken give off such a large buck in all her years of owning him. After making sure I was okay she made sure Ken was lounged, then I got back on and cantered the cavaletti exercises again and did a jumping course.
This fall was by far my worst fall of all, because of how all the impact from the fall went to my back. I am so grateful Ken tried to avoid kicking me, as he was very close to having his hooves come into contact with my face. However, I knew I had to get back on. Falling off did not make me lose confidence, but for those who have a severe drop in confidence need to listen, as not getting back in the saddle is the worst option. If you are not injured, it is best you get back on that horse you fell off of, as it is likely they know their mistake and will not do it again. You know that term, "you need to get back on the horse" is so true, as getting back on is a way of facing your fears and telling yourself that you can get back on despite falling.
Horseback riding is no doubt a dangerous sport; even the best riders experience falls here and there in any situation. I have fallen off from refusals, spooks, and at shows, and no matter how mild or extreme they may be, you always need to get back on to prove to yourself that you will never give up on something you love to do.
I rode yesterday on one of my favorite ponies, Ken, and we had a fantastic warm up, him responding well to my leg and extending and collecting his strides when I asked. Before jumping we started warming up over a serpentine of cavaletti to work on keeping our strides slow with tight turns, and Ken was perfect. However, as we came around the far side of the arena to do the exercise a second time Ken started spooking at something that caught his eye. Because of this I circled him and continued on, keeping a tighter rein in that spot. However Ken spooked again, but this time so much that he broke out into a full on run, galloping down the long side of the arena to the other side, where he let out huge bucks, one after the other. Despite pushing my heels down to secure my balance and giving and taking on the reins, I was sent flying from the saddle, where I landed flat on my back, leaving Ken to run off bucking in the corner.
Despite the huge amount of pain that broke out in my back I slowly got up and walked over to Ken, who was trotting over to me. The look in his eyes was that of a "What happened to you? I'm sorry I bucked you off!" As I patted him and made sure he was okay my trainer came running over, stating how she had never seen Ken give off such a large buck in all her years of owning him. After making sure I was okay she made sure Ken was lounged, then I got back on and cantered the cavaletti exercises again and did a jumping course.
This fall was by far my worst fall of all, because of how all the impact from the fall went to my back. I am so grateful Ken tried to avoid kicking me, as he was very close to having his hooves come into contact with my face. However, I knew I had to get back on. Falling off did not make me lose confidence, but for those who have a severe drop in confidence need to listen, as not getting back in the saddle is the worst option. If you are not injured, it is best you get back on that horse you fell off of, as it is likely they know their mistake and will not do it again. You know that term, "you need to get back on the horse" is so true, as getting back on is a way of facing your fears and telling yourself that you can get back on despite falling.
Horseback riding is no doubt a dangerous sport; even the best riders experience falls here and there in any situation. I have fallen off from refusals, spooks, and at shows, and no matter how mild or extreme they may be, you always need to get back on to prove to yourself that you will never give up on something you love to do.
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| Ken and I in flatwork |
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| Ken and I after a lesson |