Regaining Confidence after a Fall

By Alicia Johnson

The majority of equestrians have experienced a fall. If you’re lucky enough to have avoided one so far, you’ve probably heard the saying, “If you mess with horses long enough, you’re bound to fall off.” Those are intimidating, yet true, words. So when it’s your time and you do have the displeasure of an unexpected dismount, how can you regain the confidence, both in yourself and your horse, to get back on?

In theory, equestrians are expected to immediately get right back in the saddle. However, injury and fear can get in the way of doing that for some of us, as fear is a natural response. Remember, it is acceptable to take things slowly after a fall. Taking the time to recover both physically and mentally are the first steps in rebuilding the self assurance needed to get back on. Simple ways to help boost your confidence when you’re ready to saddle up again include determining the cause of the fall, riding a horse you trust, and, if possible, working with a trainer.

If the fall was minimal and you’re unhurt, yet shaken, but are ready to get right back on, it’s smart to settle both yourself and your horse before you remount. Hand walk your horse or send him off in circles for a few minutes. After that, assess both of your nerves and determine if you’re ready to continue the ride.

Young rider, Madison Johnson, experienced a fall from a 15.3hh horse at just six years old. Other than a sore arm and chest, she was physically ok, but her confidence in her riding, and horses in general, was completely annihilated. After the fall, even leading a pony was difficult; riding was out of the question. Two years later, at just eight years old, she is an advanced-intermediate rider in both English and Western disciplines. How did she conquer her fears and get back in the saddle?

First, Madison suggests restarting in the round pen with groundwork. “Earning respect from your horse on the ground will also earn you respect in the saddle,” she says. This will both increase the rider’s confidence and rebuild trust between the horse and rider. Madison’s go-to exercise when working a horse in the round pen is: Walk One; Trot Two; Canter Three. That’s having your horse walk one lap, trot two laps, and canter three laps around, then get a good whoa. She then turns the horse (or pony) and repeats the same process in the opposite direction. Putting the time and effort in through groundwork helped Madison regain the trust needed to realize every ride wouldn’t ultimately end with a fall.

Local cowgirl and quarter horse breeder, Jennifer Gitchell, offers the following advice concerning confidence in the saddle: “If you’re thinking it, the horse is feeling it.” This is a good rule of thumb to follow when assessing if your confidence is at the level needed to ride safely. According to Jennifer, if you’re in the saddle and anxiously anticipating the next spook or reaction, your horse is feeling the same way. Saddling up and riding with confidence will translate to your horse, which is the basis for the eques- trian-equine relationship.

Other simple ways to regain your confidence after a fall include the purchase of a good equestrian helmet and, perhaps, even a body protector if you sustained an injury from a fall. Consider riding in a controlled environment, such as a round pen or arena, and simply work on the basics for those initial rides following a fall. Although easier said than done, stay positive and be kind to yourself as you work your way back into the saddle. Regaining confidence in your riding and trust in your horse is, indeed, attainable.