Getting Back On The Horse - How To Overcome A Fear Of Riding
Horseback riding is a fun and enjoyable pastime enjoyed by many - and it's a very safe activity if you follow the guidelines and take the recommended safety precautions. Of course, sometimes accidents do happen - horses are independent creatures and they can sometimes throw a rider when they become alarmed or startled.
Many riders who are thrown by their mount can find it tricky to "get back on the horse" and may avoid riding for some time. It's hard to recover from these incidents - you can feel like you have no control and even the most experienced riders can lose confidence in their riding abilities.
If you've fallen off the horse - it's time to get back on it!
Immediately after the fall
If you fall off your horse, check yourself for injuries. Once you determine that you really are okay, get back in the saddle. An immediate recovery will reassure you of your riding abilities and will make the experience much less significant in your mind's eye.
Learn how to fall
Learning the safe way to fall to avoid serious injury will help you feel better about falling in the future. First and foremost, ALWAYS wear a riding helmet - they have been specifically designed for horseback riding and minimise the potential for serious head injury. Ensure your footwear is also appropriate - you should never go riding in trainers. If you do feel yourself falling, free your feet from the stirrups. Curl yourself in as your fall - don't put your arms out to try and break your fall as this will more likely result in bone breakage. Once on the ground, try to roll yourself away from the animal's legs - for your own safety and to avoid spooking the animal.
Go back to basics
A lot of your fear will stem from your own loss of confidence as a rider. Take some time to reacquaint yourself with the basics. Ride around the ring, practice simple gait changes, stops and starts. This will help you feel in control of your mount and help you relax back into the saddle.
Meanwhile, horse forums and riding communities are a great source of support when it comes to uneasiness and fears. Even the most experienced riders will have moments of anxiety after a fall. Having a support network will help immensely in overcoming your fears. They will also be able to provide you with useful and practical tips for safer riding.
Many riders who are thrown by their mount can find it tricky to "get back on the horse" and may avoid riding for some time. It's hard to recover from these incidents - you can feel like you have no control and even the most experienced riders can lose confidence in their riding abilities.
If you've fallen off the horse - it's time to get back on it!
Immediately after the fall
If you fall off your horse, check yourself for injuries. Once you determine that you really are okay, get back in the saddle. An immediate recovery will reassure you of your riding abilities and will make the experience much less significant in your mind's eye.
Learn how to fall
Learning the safe way to fall to avoid serious injury will help you feel better about falling in the future. First and foremost, ALWAYS wear a riding helmet - they have been specifically designed for horseback riding and minimise the potential for serious head injury. Ensure your footwear is also appropriate - you should never go riding in trainers. If you do feel yourself falling, free your feet from the stirrups. Curl yourself in as your fall - don't put your arms out to try and break your fall as this will more likely result in bone breakage. Once on the ground, try to roll yourself away from the animal's legs - for your own safety and to avoid spooking the animal.
Go back to basics
A lot of your fear will stem from your own loss of confidence as a rider. Take some time to reacquaint yourself with the basics. Ride around the ring, practice simple gait changes, stops and starts. This will help you feel in control of your mount and help you relax back into the saddle.
Meanwhile, horse forums and riding communities are a great source of support when it comes to uneasiness and fears. Even the most experienced riders will have moments of anxiety after a fall. Having a support network will help immensely in overcoming your fears. They will also be able to provide you with useful and practical tips for safer riding.
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