Falling off Your Horse: Getting Over an Unscheduled Dismount

Have you been launched by your Lippizan? Pitched by your pony? Heaved by your Hanoverian? Thrown by your Thoroughbred? Catapulted by your Quarterhorse?

Ask any seasoned equestrian how many times he or she has fallen off a horse. An honest horseman will likely run out of fingers, just trying to count his or her landings. English and Western equestrians alike will claim that you haven't really become a rider until you have hit the dirt a few times.

One of the main appeals of horsemanship is the risk, the challenge, and the rush that comes from doing something daring. After all, we ride living creatures, about ten times our size, with wills of their own. When we can enlist their full cooperation, it is magic. When we can't, we can experience crash landings.

What's an equestrian to do?

It's Not Personal.

Try to remain calm. The horse may feel as badly about this as you do! Usually, riders fly off because a horse has spooked or shied. Sure, horses may buck riders off, but this is less frequently the case.

Where's Your Horse?

Let someone else catch your horse, if possible. Call for help, if you can. (By this point, your horse is probably munching grass nearby or watching you on the ground and wondering how you got there.)

Take Stock of Yourself.

Take a physical inventory of yourself. Where does it hurt? Can you move everything? (Aren't you glad you wore that riding helmet?)

Catch Your Breath.

Sit tight for a few moments to collect yourself and determine if you will be able to get up and moving.

Re-establish Your Trust.

Once you are sure your body is intact, get up and take the reins of your horse. Pet him and speak calmly to him. Hand-walk him for a while to settle you both.

Get Back On!

As soon as you can do so, climb back into that saddle, even if it's just for a short walk around the arena. This will prevent a single spill from turning into the snowballing nightmare of anticipating another.

Facing fears directly is the only way to overcome them. If we don't, our fears will grow into looming dread. In other words, if you don't get right back on that horse, it will only become harder to do so.

Re-build Your Relationship.

In the coming days, spend as much time as possible with the horse. Groom him. Lead him around. Hand-graze him. Give him baths. Play with him in the pasture.

Ride On!

Leg-up on that Lippizan. Pilot that pony. Hold onto that Hanoverian. Train that thoroughbred. Control that Quarterhorse.

You'll be glad you did!