There’s almost no way around it. If you ride a horse, at some point in time, you’re going to fall off. That certainly shouldn’t stop you from doing something you love. After all, there’s not a single professional ice skater in the world who didn’t – and still doesn’t – fall from time to time.
Admittedly, there’s a big difference between dropping to the ice and, well, falling to the ground. But there are ways to circumvent it, prepare for it and then actually fall – at least as safely as you can.
Preparing for a fall
There’s no way to guarantee you won’t fall without injury, but there are things you can do to lessen the chances of injury. The first thing, of course, is to wear the proper safety equipment: riding hats, body protectors, high visibility clothing – all of it can help. Consider the riding equipment, too, such as having the right saddle, and that the stirrups are adjusted to the proper length.
You can also make sure that the saddle won’t turn by ensuring it’s tightened properly. There’s even a few things you can do before you mount up, such as riding a horse that matches your skill level.
If you’re not quite ready for your horse, take small steps and you’ll eventually get there. You can also consider the environment in which you’re riding, and that it is a good balance for your aptitude. Once you’re on the horse, ride in total control and keep your proper position on the saddle. Doing these things may seem small and tedious, but it’s helping to lessen the likelihood that you’ll fall in the first place.
How to fall
Falling happens so fast that we often don’t have a chance to react, must less even think about how to react. But the more you process and understand the steps on falling, the better you’ll be ready to respond to it the moment it happens.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to try and kick your feet out of the stirrups. Next, and ideally, you’ll want to let go of the reins. This may be easier to do if you’re in an enclosed area, because hanging onto them could tangle your legs or the horse’s legs. If you’re out on a trail, you may want to consider holding on, if that’s possible. Letting go of the reins could endanger your horse, others around you, drivers on nearby roads, and not to mention, make for a long walk home.
When the actual fall happens, don’t stick your arms out, just curl into a ball in order to lessen your chances of broken bones and to create less opportunity for the horse to step on you. Relaxing your muscles will help, too, as tensing up limits your body’s ability to absorb impact.
After the fall
Assess yourself and your surroundings. If you’re fine and seemingly free of injury (beyond a minor bruise), you’ll want to get up as soon as possible to get out of the way of others.
Some will even suggest that you should mount your horse immediately, so that a fear of riding doesn’t creep in. However, evaluate your physical health right away to make sure nothing’s wrong. If you’re hurt, you’ll know it, and you’ll know what to do.
