How bad is the first fall?

Question

First of all - I know I will fall. I actually want to ASAP so I know how it feels and I'll be less nervous when riding because I know what to expect.

I've only just started riding. I'll be wearing a body protector when I start to canter and I'll have all the right equipment. I know the fall won't hurt too much, especially with the sand in the arena (right..?).

My problem: the drop. I am on a very big horse. He is very calm and old and he is an ex-army horse so very experienced, which I'm guessing means he will spook less. I fell off while dismounting and it actually felt quite a long drop. (Even when I dismount without falling off) This is what I'm scared of the most. I've asked if I can ride a slightly smaller horse so the fall is a bit smaller but I'm quite large so I kinda have to ride larger horses anyway. (I'm 12 stone 5"6)

Anyway... how bad was your first fall? I'm just nervous is all. I love riding but it's making me not enjoy my lessons much

Answer 1

My first fall wasn't too bad. I was around 6 years old and I was trying to canter for the every time and I fell of into a bunch of nettles, but I couldn't remember it hurting too much. I haven't had very many bad falls but I know I will do in time because I have very green horse who spooks at every jump and I've just started jumping him and competing.

I always wear body protector and hat every time I ride because you never know what might happen. It'll definitely protect you more if you fall, also if the arena is sand it will be a softer fall.

I know someone who has lessons on Saturday and competes on Sunday. On the Saturday her instructor makes her fall of purposely just so it doesn't come as much as a shock on Sunday but personally I would rather let it happen naturally.

Sometimes it hurts and sometimes it doesn't but if you aren't in too much pain get straight back on, it''l help you not lose confident. If you fell of over a jump, get back on and do it straight away or lower it and do it again. Anyway have fun!

Answer 2

Everyone is different. My first fall was my worst but only because I was put on a inappropriate horse and most likely was cantering too soon, and I landed badly. Sometimes though, a bigger horse doesn't mean a worse fall. My worse fall was off a pony that was about 14hh and the others which I hardly felt were all off horses between 15.1hh and 16.1hh. Some of the worst ones I have seen at my riding scool are generally off little ponies for some reason. Normally when I see someone fall for the first time they are not hurt, just a little shaken up. To be honest, worrying about it isn't going to do you any good. If it happens it happens. Talk to your instructor about how you are worried about falling, and she will be able to help you. Remember, if you don't want to do something or don't feel comfortable, tell your instructor and don't do it. However, if you do fall make sure to get back on if you can!

Answer 3

My first fall was scary. Horse took off, I was sliding off towards the fence, almost hit my head BAD on a pole (this is why I ALWAYS wear helmets now), then tumbled right off on my shoulder/neck. Was so whip-lashed I couldn't get out of bed the next couple of days without being in bad pain. Fortunately, I broke nothing and was put on the same horse the next week so I would have no fear.



I will say, that experience has made every other fall I've had a cake walk.



Most falls do not end badly. I've been tossed/fallen off several times after and I've always just stood up, brushed myself off, and hopped right back on.



Emergency dismounts and falling on purpose, actually, might be a good idea just to show you it's not a big deal in most cases.

Answer 4

The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and CALM DOWN!

Worrying about falling will get you no where. It happens, and 90% of the time you get up, laugh it off and hop back in the saddle. 10% of the time you break an arm, mild concussion etc. On a lesson horse I guarantee that nothing life-threatening will EVER happen during a fall.



My first fall was when I was 7 years old, off a horse that (if I remember correctly) was around 16 hands. That's big for a 7 year old! He was spooked by a pigeon (I hate pigeons now XD) and bolted around the arena. I managed to hold on for a good minute or two until I finally hit the dirt. And you know what? That babysitter of a horse stopped right next to me and made sure I was alright. I ended up with a pretty sore arm (my mom wanted to take me to the hospital, I just got back on the horse!) and thought nothing of it. I actually think a fall off my 13.3h pony scared me worse than that (she bucked me off bareback, I was too shaken up to get back on!)



The impact itself isn't really what's going to hurt you, so the difference between falling of a big horse or little pony isn't q big deal. Falling doesn't so much hurt as knock the wind out of you. Get up as soon as you can, grab your horse, brush off the dirt and get back in the saddle!



The worst thing you can do when riding is worry about a fall. It happens! It's the same thing as worrying about crashing every time you're in a car. It happens, but more often than not it doesn't and when it does injuries aren't certain.



Some people like to "practice" falling, from a standing horse. Apparently you're supposed to go into the fetal position, curl up, whatever. I think this is bs! If you're planning to fall, then you will. Instead you should be worried about staying on! A fall will happen so fast you won't have time to think about it, so there's no use thinking about it anyways! Don't fret over it!If you really want to, you can always do a little flop off your horse just to feel what the distance is like. In my opinion it's kinda pointless, but it's up to you!



Honestly, if you're planning on keeping up your riding you WILL fall. Many times. I've lost track of how many times I've hit the dirt, and it has never ever stopped me from getting back in the saddle. It's just part of being a rider! Trust me, you will be 100% fine :) Chill out!

Answer 5

Big horse does NOT mean worse fall don't worry ! A girl at my barn was riding a mini, just walking, and somehow she slipped off and broke her arm. The first time I fell off my horse (who was 16.2 hh) she spooked because a dog ran under her, which was absolutely ridiculous and unsafe, and bucked me off headfirst into a wall. I hopped right back on without a second thought, and surprisingly went uninjured.

Definitely ask your instructor if she'll help you with an emergency dismount, it'll be really beneficial, but I don't think actually falling on purpose would really do you much good.

My instructor used to always say riding isn't about if you fall, it's about how often and how hard.

Answer 6

No one can say how your first fall is going to feel. It's different for everyone. It all depends where you fall off, could be on the school, on the road or in a field. It also depends on what your doing, if you fall off in walk, trot, canter or jumping.

My first fall was jumping. I fell off & snapped my arm in half. That doesn't mean the same thing will happen to you though.s

Since then I've fallen off at a cross country competition & fallen on the fence. Fallen out on a hack, in the school also.

I've been horse riding 16 years & have fallen off 8 times. It's never been that bad to make me want to stop horse riding it's just the shock of it actually happening.

I know what you mean. I like falling off occasionally. It's then not such a big shock when it does happen.

Don't stress about it though, just enjoying riding :) xx

Answer 7

When you fall, just laugh, dust yourself off and get back in the saddle. Falls aren't even bad at all unless you fall on a rock or the horse steps on you (not trying to get you worried, but you said the horse is very calm. Arena sand is very soft, so it will be like falling off a bed onto the carpet except higher lol. I have never fallen before, and I have been riding since March. But I know what it would feel like for some reason. Most of all, if your cantering and you fall, it might just catch you off gaurd, that's all. Happy trails! :)

Answer 8

Bigger horse doesn't always mean a worse fall. Just a few weeks ago, a 16.3hh DW flipped over for no apparent reason, but his rider wasn't even hurt. He fell sideways and landed on her. My instructor, in the arena at the time, told a story after determining that both were okay about a previous lesson pony, who was very short, tubby, and lazy, who flipped over. His rider needed an ambulance after that.



My first fall? Off a crazy old man-horse who spooked at cars when the arena was bordered by roads on two sides. I haven't been seriously hurt from any fall yet, but it could happen.

Answer 9

In general, the only damaged thing from first falls is the rider's pride. My first fall was onto a pole of the jump but I got back on. You could practice the emergency dismount. You can do it at any gait for a little experience of falling. Don't let it put you off, everyone falls off and how many people get badly injured? Not many. The drop isn't bad, in fact it could give you more time to land appropriately and prevent injury. Good luck :)

Answer 10

My first fall was terrible, broken arm and messed up hip (hip is still sore, it was over a year ago) but I'm NOT saying it will happen to you, because my horse was very green and very young, and I lost my balance. My second fall, my horse slipped and fell (onto his front knees) and I rolled away on purpose so he wouldn't crush me, it didn't hurt too bad, just sore muscles. Then he bucked me off, which also I only had sore muscles. It all depends on how you fall, just don't worry about it too much.

Also, I am 5'6 and my horse is 14.2hh (the first fall the horse was 15.3hh) And the fall was on a hard ground, so I'm guessing sand would be less painful

Answer 11

My first fall was with a colt pistol in my hand during a cowboy mounted shooting clinic. I felt ok right after the fall, but could not hardly move for 3 days afterwards starting the next day. How the fall feels on how you land and what you land on. I know of a gal who got a spiral fracture on her arm when her horse slipped on a rock and went down. She was ok till the horse was getting back up and then she fell about 2 feet, yes 2 feet onto the rock.

Answer 12

my first horse was on a bigger horse. You can fall in a lot of ways, like the first time I fell, I pretty much fell on my butt and it didn't hurt at all, the second time I fell, i fell right on my back, and honestly thought I broke it. don't worry about falling, just remember to get right back on. I don't think someone can purposely fall off and it be the same as an accidental fall.



Remember, the worst thing you can hit is the ground.

Answer 13

It really depends on how bad the fall is; so far, I haven't fallen off this year, but when you do, it sort of feels like a dream, like everything else has stopped and it just feels very odd. But it's fine, although I can't remember my FIRST fall. If you're wearing a body protector then it'll be okay. If you can, if you do fall, try to throw yourself away from the horse, so he won't trample you.

Answer 14

My first "unintentional dismount" was just me sliding off the side doing round the world - landed on my feet so was fine.

My first "fall" as such - my horse cut the corner as I was sitting trot. I didn't and I just sorta slid off and landed on my bum. It hurt because landing on your bum does! but just get back up, take a deep breath, and get back on. I didn't really have time to think about the fall - it just happened. One minute i was on the horse, the next I was on the ground.



Let it happen naturally - it's very hard to MAKE yourself fall (have you ever tried to fall over? without catching yourself?). If you let it happen naturally you will most liksly just slide off the side and land (maybe not so gracefully) but you'll just get up again and get back on.

By forcing yourself to fall I think you may be more likely to injure yourself (tensing up, falling in an unatural way etc)

Answer 15

My first fall, nearly killed me but it was the most fun I've ever had. My horse took of at a full tilt gallop (he is big and goes REALLY fast) and there was no stopping him. Eventually somehow after many corners, I was on his neck with no stirrups, no reins, and obviously with no saddle while he was still galloping. Then he started to try and buck so I bailed, and he nearly crushed my face... So I got back on him and he tried bucking again.. Then the next day he refused a jump and I went over his head... Despite the pain of both falls I got up laughing so hard I couldn't breathe :) haha best if luck with your fall :P

Answer 16

well my first fall was on a 14hh pony.... i landed on my feet haha. the first time i fell fell with out landing on my feet? I was riding the same pony and we were doing these jumps called bounces where they are so close together the horse jumps the next one as it lands the first so it's literally just like BOING BOING BOING lol any way we were cantering over them and just as she landed the last one she spooked, jerked back, sidways then took off. needles to say i landed splat on my back. Didn't hurt though I got up brushed the dirt off me garbed my pony got on and did it again.



I know how you feel though I was ridding almost 2 years before that. (other times i fell on her but landed on my feet again) I kinda couldn't wait to just get it over with either. really falling generally isn't that bad. Most of the time you'll get up and maybe have a bruise or sore muscles the next day. But overall most falls arn't going to be that bad. Also when you fall the horse will try really hard to avoid stepping on you so you dont really have to worry about that either.



just try not to think about it to much. maybe you can ask to "Practice" falling. one of my old instructor said when he was learning thats what his instructor would have them do. they started at a walk and when the instructor said now they litter just threw themselvs off. the point was to get a feel of falling and to practice landing. maybe you can try something like that?

Answer 17

My first fall wasn't that bad. Don't be scared. Everyone falls off eventually. I have gotten bucked off, and hanging on the side of my horse after she spooked and I had to pull myself up! It was a miracle that I stayed on! But don't worry about it, it may hurt, but just get back on and keep riding!

Answer 18

It's really not that bad! I figured it hurts more off little ponies. I was bucked of and I landed on my arm funny but I was fine just a little shaken up(: just don't worry about it and make sure you always get back on otherwise you might not want to ride after that:)

Answer 19

First falls can and are some times your last fall they can be bone breakers or cause severe brain trauma depending on what caused the fall and what happens afterwards, most falls just cause sore muscles but can cause life threatening injuries so don't look forward to it try to keep your balance and never fall.

Answer 20

I have the exact same problem. I ride a 7 year old, 16.3 ex racehorse thoroughbred. So he is not calm like your ex army horse- he freaks out at a lot of things, and I hit the dirt a lot.



A lot.



I'm about your height but weigh less and it was actually my choice to buy a large horse. And yes, I love my occasional romp on a pony, but with high horses it just makes me feel like I can conquer the world, especially at the faster gaits or when jumping!



Anyway, my first fall was not good. Back when I rode western for a year, I lessoned on a fat, 15 year old, quarter horse. I practiced emergency dismounts at the walk and trot. But this horse was 15.2 hands and much slower then the horse I ride now.



I never actually just fell off of the western lesson horse (he did scrape me off a couple times by running into low hanging trees and the short barn door, though!)



My first fall on my thoroughbred was horrible. We were jumping little jumps, right, just at the trot. But my horse gets excited and overjumps it by two feet. I'm up in this barely-there two point, and of course lose balance. I'm trying to hang on, but he's broken into the canter from excitement and I hit the dirt hard.



I mean hard. My side is on fire and I can't move, the breath has been knocked out of me so hard. My head hit the sand but I was wearing a helmet. However, being immobolized, I watched those giant horse hooves trot past, inches from my head.



Thankfully he comes to a stop, and I clamber back on. I do some walk and trot, and then take the little jump again. He overjumps it again, but I'm prepared and it goes smoothly.



That was a bad fall. I was really banged up for a couple of days. I have fallen off of the quarter horse, a spirited pony, a giant friesian, and off my own horse more than a couple of times.



Most people's first falls aren't horrific- that generally happens once you start doing more dangerous work, obviously- like jumping, barrel racing, tight corners at fast speeds, etc.



To be honest, the fall is not that bad. It can hurt you, yes, but as long as you are riding carefully and with a helmet, you should be fine! For me, it's usually a confidence blow. It's super important to get back on, get a bit more comfortable, and then do what you fell off while doing. If you don't, you might never get back on again.



For me, it would certainly not be out of line to ask to fall on purpose. I was taught how to do so on the western lesson horse, and my trainer says she was taught moving dismounts/emergency falls as well. However, she says it didn't and doesn't help her much- when your horse gives you a half second warning before you're bucked into the air or tumble off after a jump, you often don't have time to go, "Oh, brace myself, and drop my shoulder, and tuck my head, etc."



My dad wanted me to take tumbling lessons after a particularly nasty fall of mine, but really, like said, when flying through the air off a horse, are you really going to have time to remember how to tumble? It's pretty quick- once you experience your first fall you'll understand!



But if it feels like it would help your confidence, I would ask for it and get your trainer's opinion.



To me, I don't feel like you have to wear a safety vest at the canter. A helmet should be enough. Make sure it's approved by the SEF (or something like that) and has not suffered any major falls (oftentimes, even if the helmet looks fine, the shock absorbancy is gone.)



I don't wear a safety vest at the canter or while jumping (I show jump, and do some hunt seat) and no one else at my barn or that I know does. The only rider I know who wears a safety vest is the stable owner, who is an eventer. She wears it in the cross country part. Some showjumpers (show jumping is faster and the jumps are higher than hunter/jumper) wear them, but, unlike eventing, it's not required.



I'm thinking of going into cross country with my horse, and if I do, when I go to competitions I will wear one. (I'll have to!) I won't wear one at home simply because we don't have a cross country course. Cross country is more dangerous because it's full gallop at solid obstacles, so...



The owner of the stable I board my horse (the eventer!) practices at home without a helmet even! It drives everyone else crazy, but it's her decision, and the safety equipment you wear once you turn eighteen is your decision. (Though trainers don't teach students who don't wear helmets.)



A lot of people are worried about the fall, especially people on tall horses. But usually you are just shaken up. Just wear a helmet (and your safety vest, if you want), don't ride recklessly, and learn how to emergency dismount, if you can.



Good luck, and have fun! In horseback riding it's inevitable you'll fall, and probably often- but don't let that stop you!

Answer 21

It was ok. Nothing great. It did not stop me from riding. Sometimes large horses are more calm than smaller ones.

Answer 22

Mine was not bad at all. I have fallen off countless times sense then and have yet to have a bad fall. I'm good for hanging on during the "holy crap!" moments but falling off for stupid reasons lol.

Answer 23

My first fall was when I was a little kid. Little kids are durable lol. It hurts way more now that I'm an old fart, so I try not to fall too often anymore ;)