Falling Off a Horse

Whether you’re a top show jumper or a young rider who takes regular lessons at a riding school, you probably know the feeling: your stomach sinks and your body stiffens as it anticipates the pain head. Yes—you’re about to fall off! Ouch!

Let’s face it, everyone falls off sometimes. As you improve as a rider, you’ll be attempting more difficult horsey activities and it’s likely that you’ll “eat dirt” occasionally.

But remember, you can also fall off while out on a quiet trail ride if your horse stumbles or spooks at a “monster” behind a tree. That’s the thing about falling off—you never know when it might happen.

Let’s take a look at falling off and see what you can do to make hitting the ground less traumatic!

Safety clothing

Safety gear can help you prevent a fall and protect you in case of one. The most important piece of safety gear is, of course, a helmet. Buy an ASTM/SEI (look for the label inside) approved helmet with a secure chin strap and wear it every time you get on a horse! Your brain is like soft Jell-O inside your skull—if you crack your skull and injure your brain you could suffer permanent brain damage.

Wear gloves. You have less chance of losing control of your horse if you have a firm grip on the reins. Riding in wet weather can cause slippery.

If you do a lot of jumping, invest in a body protector. They aren’t just for eventers! You can wear one when you jump in the ring or when you’re out on a trail. They’re lightweight and help to protect your internal organs if you fall off and hit something hard or if a horse kicks you.

Reasons for falling off

There are tons of reasons why you might fall off. We’ve listed a few of them and what you can do to lessen your chances of taking a tumble.

Your horse trips on a trail or spooks and you tip off.

When you’re trail riding, stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Keep a fairly good hold on the reins and keep your legs on your horse’s side to keep him moving forward. He’s less likely to stumble if he’s walking forward at a brisk pace.Your horse gets excited or is naughty and bucks you off.

When your horse gets excited, try your best to put him in a 20-meter circle and ask him to work. Do