Im afraid of falling off the horse?

Question

ok so i have been riding 4 two yrs and i have fallen 3 times but latly i have just been so afraid i can not canter cause im so afraid i know im a good rider but im not getting any better! when i get 2 scared i tuck in my feet they fall out of the stirupts and i fall, so theres no way to avoid falling! im scared becuasue i fall i fall becuase im scrared help

Answer 1

Your doing good!!!!!!

But dont get scared when you get scared your horse knows and will also be a little scared.....

So just go along with it

i mean everyone falls trust me

Answer 2

like the other person said, you've only fallen off 3 times in 4 years? thats great!

if i were you, id work on building confidence. ride a nice calm, experienced lesson horse. practice walking around (yeah it might be boring, but it will help). grab some mane and try standing up in your stirrups. if you heals are down, your feet wont fall out, and you wont fall off! work on some circling exercises (like serpentines, etc). then gradually work into the trot, and continue the circling exercises. also, work on some walk-trot transitions.

then once you feel comfortable, try working on the canter on a lung line with an experienced rider/horse person. try doing a few strides at the cancer, but of course, only once you feel comfortable!

and dont forget! EVERYONE falls off! even Grand Prix riders doo too! so your not alone!

I hope this helped!

Answer 3

Make sure you keep weight down in your stirrups and you won't lose them.  Keep your legs long and your heels down and practice at standing up at the canter a little bit more.  And if you feel your stirrups start to slip off, then bring your horse back down to a walk/trot and fix your stirrups before you continue cantering.

I was never afraid of riding and falling off until this year when i've been showing random horses over 2'-2'6 fences... I've been drawing horses who are over my skill level and I've had a couple of falls and I lost my confidence at jumping and it's been hard for me to not be afraid even during lessons when I'm riding horses that I know.  Since I'm afraid, I've been trying to hold the horse back too much and make them go really slow toward the jumps but that's been making me ride even worse... I need to let the horse go and let it jump the way it needs to jump, but I'm too afraid lately.

So I understand your problem... we just need to be able to let the horse go do what it needs to do.  We won't get any better until we get over being afraid.  Good luck!

Answer 4

ok. ur doing well. i mean seriously 3 falls!! stand on steps every night and let ur ankles hang down, thisll help with tuckin ur heals. just canter, try a half seat, ull keep ur heals down then. im sorry but this is how it is: you've been riding 4 two years and u shud b used 2 cantering and not even care if ur faling. if ur afraid of falling all the time, youll never accomplish anything. thats the way it is.

Answer 5

you aren't a real rider until you fall!!!! can you control the horse you ride? does he go too fast? do you think that you are not ready to canter? these are all things that you should talk to your trainer about. trainer's would rather have you safe and comfortable than scared. hope this helps.

Answer 6

You should not be falling off at walk trot or canter unless the horse badly rushes away from something spooky and you haven't developed a deep seat.

Your horse may not be suitable for a learner. Being lunged on a plodder is what you need with a good set of eyes telling you what to do.

Learn to relax, keep your heals down. Relax you legs beside the horse, not gripping. Feel your weight in the saddle. Have a flexible lower back to move backwards and forwards with the horses movement. Keep sitting up.

Go to the best instructor your money can buy. And only settle on one that is sympathetic. You may find a good local rider to help for free. From past experience you may need to try a few. Only settle for someone who makes you feel safe. You are doing this for fun, don't let anyone bully you.

Keep at it, once you are riding in sympathy with you horse WOW you will love it.

Best of luck.. how exciting learning something new...

Answer 7

Only 3 falls in two years as a new rider?  Hey, you're doing great.  

You don't say if you're taking lessons with a riding teacher.  If not, find someone who works with new riders and take a few lessons.  

If you're working over jumps, maybe back off a bit and do more work on the flat - maybe a little dressage. I like dressage as the basis for any style of riding because it really builds the basics for both horse and rider.  And something I learn auditing a clinic taught by Michael J Plumb - you and your horse will get so focused on the technical aspects that you won't be jiggling all over the place.



When you're out on the trail, always ride with an experienced adult rider on a calm horse.

Most importantly, keep riding. The fear will pass as your skills build.  If it was easy, everyone would be a rider.