Falling from a horse can be a scary experience and can often change the way we feel about our riding in the blink of an eye. Injuries are common from falls and it is true to say that physically we can potentially do a lot of damage from hitting the deck. When you fall, you can get hurt, and the pain can be both physical and emotional. Injuries from the incident more often than not heal with time and care, but the experience can stay with us for a long time after the event.
Understanding the Impact of the Fall
In the horse world, falling off is something that almost every rider will experience at some point. It’s an inevitable part of riding horses, no matter how skilled or experienced you are. When a fall happens, it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. Many riders find themselves suddenly overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and a loss of confidence, even if they’ve been riding for years without a problem.
A bad fall can be a traumatic event, affecting not just your body but also your mindset. It’s completely normal to feel scared or worried about getting back in the saddle after falling. You might replay the moment in your head, question your abilities, or even wonder if you’ll ever feel safe riding again. These feelings are common, and you’re certainly not alone – many riders go through the same thing.
The good news is that with the right support and training, it is absolutely possible to rebuild confidence and overcome your fears. Working with a confidence coach or mindset coach can be incredibly helpful, as they understand the unique challenges riders face after a fall. They can guide you through the process of managing anxiety, shifting your mindset, and gradually getting back to enjoying your time with your horse.
Remember, falling is just part of your riding journey. It doesn’t define you as a rider, and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. With patience, support, and a willingness to work through your fears, you can come back stronger and more confident than ever. The most important thing is to be kind to yourself and take things one step at a time as you find your way back in the saddle.
Losing Confidence After A Fall
One of the biggest things riders struggle with mentally after a fall is with their confidence. Losing confidence can be highly frustrating for riders. One minute you and your horse are riding around effortlessly together without a care in the world and then boom! just like that, you are considering whether riding your horse again is a good idea at all. Fear kicks in and a mental roadblock stops you from progressing with your riding. It’s normal to feel afraid after a fall, and seeking help or support is a positive and important step toward rebuilding your confidence.
There are many reasons why you may have lost your confidence after a fall and many questions swirling around in your mind:
- You may be thinking that the same incident will occur again when you get on to ride.
- Maybe you are doubting your ability to be able to control your horse.
- Perhaps you are worried about what others are thinking about your riding ability now you have taken a fall.
- Are you aware of the risks involved in riding and how to manage them?
It is important after any fall that you take the time to heal both physically and mentally. Getting back in the saddle with physical injuries will not do you any favours and will potentially put you at risk of further injury. Before you get back on the horse, take time to assess both your physical injuries and your mental readiness. Mentally it can take time to overcome the incident. You will not likely be looking at the situation rationally when it is so fresh in your mind. Invest the time in healing after a fall. It’s all very easy to listen to others who are pushing for you to get back in the saddle as soon as possible. Only get back on if you and your horse are fine and uninjured.
Taking the time to reflect after a fall can often be very helpful in the recovery process. One of the key questions you should ask yourself is, was there a reason for the accident? Allow yourself to accept that mistakes and setbacks are part of the learning process and growth as a rider. Determining the reason can often help put some clear perspective on the situation. Remember, your brains and brain process fear and memories after a fall, which can affect your confidence and how you approach riding again.
Was the accident due to unusual behaviour from the horse? Unusual behaviour could be classed as bucking, rearing or bolting. Something that you wouldn’t usually associate with your horse. In situations of this kind, it is always best to get your horse checked out for pain by the vet or physio. Checking that tack fits correctly is also important and can often be the result of pain causing unusual behaviour in your horse. Also, check if your horse’s head or ears were pointed in a certain direction, as this can give clues about their focus or alertness.
Was the accident a result of rider error? Was there a communication problem between you and your horse? Riding accidents can be the result of poor communication between horse and rider. Determining this as a possible cause can give you valuable feedback on why the incident occurred and can help you decide on what you and your horse need to improve on. It’s important to realize your own role and self-awareness after a fall to make positive changes.
Start to Rebuild Confidence After A Fall
Let’s take a look at some of the key ways in which you can help regain your confidence back after a fall from your horse.
Time
They say time is a healer and this couldn’t be any more important after taking a fall from your horse. Take the time to heal both physically and mentally and give yourself the space to recover from the fall. Allow yourself the time to reflect on the incident when you feel you are ready and try to identify the reasons for the accident occurring. Take things slowly and progress step by step. Go back to the basics if necessary and start small. Don’t over face yourself and jump back in at the deep end.
Support
Regaining your confidence back after a fall can often be a tricky process on your own. Sometimes some outside help is required. Booking you and your horse in for a lesson with an equestrian coach who you trust can really help with building your confidence back up again. It can help you feel supported and much safer knowing you have someone on your side there with you, to address the practical skills and training required to get you and your horse back on track. A trainer can provide professional guidance and help you assess your readiness to ride again.
Experienced Riders
Finding an experienced, skilled and educated rider to help you and your horse through this difficult time can be a wonderful tool to help rebuild your confidence on your horse. If there are schooling issues that may have been the cause of the accident an experienced rider may be able to work through these issues and keep your horse in work if you are out of action or too nervous to ride. Plus the right person can help develop your horse’s way of going and overcome any ridden issues your horse may have. Paying attention to your lead and alignment can also improve your balance and safety in the saddle.
Breathe
It may seem strange to suggest practising breathing, but many of us tend to stop breathing properly when we ride our horses. Nervousness and confidence issues often play a huge part in the way we are breathing when riding. Practising breathing techniques will help you relax and stay focussed whilst riding your horse. Good breathing also helps you maintain better balance and stability while riding.
Experienced Horses
Getting some lessons on a schoolmaster can work wonders for building your confidence. A schoolmaster can help you slowly regain your confidence, feel more comfortable and build on your riding skills. This can be particularly helpful for those who own a young or green horse. Following a structured course of lessons or exercises can help you rebuild trust and skills step by step.
Fitness
A rider’s level of fitness can play a huge part in not only the horse’s way of going but also your own security. Building up your own physical fitness, suppleness and core strength can help you become more balanced, secure and effective as a rider. The security in your seat and core strength can put you in a much safer position when incidents arise. Being able to stand up after a fall is also an important part of your recovery and safety.
Confidence and Mindset
A fall from your horse can chip away at a positive mindset. It can take a considerable amount of time to build and maintain confidence in yourself and your horse. Working with an Equestrian Mindset / Confidence Coach can really help you to work through the psychological after-effects of an accident. Remember, failure is a natural part of riding and offers valuable lessons for growth and resilience.
Ask Questions
Asking yourself questions after a fall can be very beneficial for your confidence. The trick is to ask yourself the right questions!! Ask yourself questions such as, “How else can I look at this situation?” and “What positive learning can I take away from this experience”. Asking yourself the right questions can make all the difference. Make sure however that you’re not asking the wrong questions, for example, “Why does this always happen to me?” or “Why am I such a rubbish rider?”. These will only undermine your confidence and make you feel worse! Seeking tips and practical advice from others can also help you recover more effectively.
Enjoy Your Riding
At the end of the day, riding is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience for all. If this isn’t the case then you need to make a conscious decision to make some changes. One of the key things you need to decide is what you need to change in order to reignite your passion for horses and doing what you love. Decide what you want to do, and take action to make progress towards your riding goals. Remember, falling and getting back up is part of life, and these experiences can teach us resilience and perseverance beyond just riding.
When you’ve fallen, it can feel like a long way back on the horse, but it really doesn’t have to be! Start your recovery on the ground with groundwork and walking your horse to rebuild trust and confidence.
