A fall from a moving horse can leave emotional scars long after the bruises and bones have healed. It is those scars that most riders dutifully hide while hoping for no further episodes. Unfortunately, the very act of hiding emotional scars can lead to new ones.
When accidents occur, honest reflection on the events leading up to the accident can provide clues to why it took place and prevent future mishaps. Make a list of the moments prior to the incident. Avoid blaming the horse.
Once blaming the horse becomes part of the equation it is difficult to see where the rider could have prevented the fall and nothing valuable is learned. Instead, use “I” phrases such as, “I was working on the. . . .”, “I . . . my rein”, or “I was . . . when I felt . . .” Then list all the things you could have done to prevent or lessen the severity of the accident.
Sara’s story is a typical example of the snowball-effect that occurs if the causes of a fall are not examined thoroughly as soon after the fall as possible. Sara and her gelding, Quincy, rode the trails several times a week. However, during the last few months Quincy developed a habit of spooking at a particular place on the trail. Consequently, Sara had fallen off three times there. The first fall occurred as she was pulling her water bottle out of a holder that dangled against Quincy’s right shoulder. Quincy startled and jumped side-ways to the left. Sara, caught off guard, fell to the right.
The next time they rode down that same stretch of trail Sara was nervous. She remembers hugging him with her legs and tightly gripping the reins, just in case something happened. Quincy began pulling on the reins and they had a tug-of-war at the site of the original accident. Suddenly some riders rounded the corner in front of them. Quincy jumped straight up in the air. Sara popped out of the saddle and landed on her shoulder. Fortunately, no bones were broken.
Sara decided to change Quincy’s mouthpiece to a more severe bit. Still a bit nervous, she held on tight and asked him to walk slowly and carefully every time they passed that spot. Everything was fine for a few weeks. However, recently Sara flew off again. As she recounted the third accident, she stated that during the ride she felt more courageous than she had in a while. So, she decided to trot Quincy through the danger zone. She gave him a swift “bump” in the sides which caused him to explode into a series of bucks and off Sara went. Now, she has lost all confidence in Quincy and plans on selling him.
Their lovely relationship deteriorated in three short months. Sara’s first fall was caused by a simple loss of focus and out-of-balance riding position. This led to squeezing legs, tight reins, kicking aids, a severe bit, and loss of confidence. Sara and Quincy were no longer partners. If she doesn’t sell him first, it may take months for Sara to rebuild her confidence and tear down the wall she has erected between herself and Quincy. Unfortunately, the emotional effect of the falls may carry over to every horse Sara rides.
Preventative strategies Sara could implement to prevent further mishaps, include:
- Keep focused on the horse and the surrounding environment at all times.
- Vary movements and gaits to ensure that your horse remains focused on you.
- Always maintain balance and stillness in the saddle while gently moving with the horse. Like people, horses startle. Expect it.
- Strengthen core muscles and practice exercises that develop balance.
- Keep the legs loose. Tight legs cause horses to be uncomfortable and riders to pop out of the saddle.
- Dispense with severe artificial aids; they do more harm than good.
- Keep your upper arms relaxed at your sides and still hands a few inches in front of your waist with fingers that slightly open and close with your horse’s movements so that the horse can move his head, neck, and shoulders.
- Teach horses half halts so they are not surprised by requests for transitions.
- To control your horse use verbal commands, your seat and energy rather than pulling and kicking.
- If possible, do ground-work in the “danger zone” until both horse and rider can relax there.
- Do ground work, ride in an arena, ride on the lunge-line, and ride with friends whose horses are calm until confidence is restored.
Horses, like the rest of us, can inadvertently stumble and fall, however, most spills on the part of horse or rider are preventable as long as we look to ourselves, not our horses, for solutions and cures. Blaming the horse is the best way to guarantee that another fall is inevitable.
By Chris Forté
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