How to Rebuild Your Confidence After Falling Off A Horse

There is a risk of falling off your horse when you ride.  Even if you're not physically injured, a fall from your horse can leave you feeling emotionally shaken. And it can damage your horse riding confidence. If this has happened to you, read on for what you need to do next.

Falling Off A Horse Is A Risk Of Riding

I don’t think there’s any athletic sport that you can do where you don’t fall. My husband does it frequently when he’s mountain biking  And I used to do it an awful lot when I was a figure skater. And riding?  I’ve done it more times than I can count.

But falling off your horse has more impact mentally as well as physically than most other sports. 

Even if you're not hurt, it can leave you feeling less confident and anxious about what could happen. 

Anxiety Is Caused By A Sense Of Not Having Control

And part of that anxiety is caused by a sense of not always being in control. After all, you're riding an animal with it's own mind. (Which is why my husband rides bicycles and not horses.)

I've been there.

When I lost my confidence several years ago after coming off my horse, I wasn’t injured.

What shattered my confidence was the sense of having no control. There was no warning that my horse was about to blow up into a bucking frenzy and once he started, I couldn't stop him. (We found out later that the bucking was caused by a chronic muscle disorder.)

Why Does Falling Off A Horse Not Bother Some People?

Some people, especially younger people, can have a fall, pick themselves up, dust themselves off, get back on their horse and carry on as if nothing had happened. But other people, and especially as we get older, find that very difficult to do.  

Even if you’re not injured from the fall, you’ll likely be stiff, sore and bruised.

And, sometimes you don't even need to fall off - having a near miss or seeing someone else take a fall can be enough to shake your confidence.

Feeling Anxious After A Fall From Your Horse? You're Normal!

You may feel like you're the only one who has these feelings and emotions about riding. If you're feeling anxious after having a fall from a horse or witnessing  someone else have one...

You might be experiencing a variety of emotions.  Embarrassment. Sadness. Confusion. Anger. But what’s really underneath those emotions is fear.

Fear has a purpose... that's to keep us safe.

A prehistoric part of your brain - called the amygdalae - triggers the warning mechanism of fear.

So, once you've had a scary experience, it notices when you might be putting yourself into a similar situation. 

And, it sets off signals that warn you that you're putting yourself in danger. 

So every time you’re approaching that corner of the arena or part of the trail where your horse spooked and you came off, or you hear the sound that startled your horse, your brain automatically sets off the alarm signals - increased heart rate, holding your breath, tensing your muscles.

Should You Get Back On Your Horse After A Fall?

First, know that it's okay to not  get back on your horse right away. In fact, sometimes it's better not to.

If you've been injured or hit your head, it's best to not get back on.

If you're too tense to think straight or your horse is too tense to pay attention to you, getting back on may just reinforce the fear.  

After a fall, it's wise to take some time to settle yourself and your horse.  Hand walk him or do some simple ground work. After that, decide whether or not you want to get back on. And know that it's okay if you decide to finish up with that groundwork for now.

Whatever you do, make sure you're calm before you proceed.

What To Do If You've Lost Confidence After Falling Off Your Horse?

But, if you develop a paralyzing fear after a fall from your horse (as happened to me), how do you overcome that and get back to enjoying horse riding again?

• Spend some quiet time analyzing logically what happened. What caused the situation? 
• Look at it objectively by taking the emotion out of the situation. Just go through it bit by bit.  
• Were you or your horse distracted and not completely focused on what you were doing?  
• Maybe you were thinking about your grocery list instead of paying attention to your surroundings and how your horse was feeling?
• Did you over-face yourself or your horse by doing something one or both of you wasn't mentally or physically prepared for - or didn't have the skills to do?  
• Maybe, as was the case in my situation, your horse is experiencing pain or discomfort.

Create A Plan For Moving Forward After Falling Off A Horse

Once you've figured out what the cause was, you can work out a plan for resolving the cause and moving forward with your and your horses training. 

Do you need to improve your riding position? Does your horse need more training?

With a well thought out plan that is broken down into small steps, you will build positive experiences for you and your horse. And that's the best way to rebuild your confidence.

If you're struggling with 'what if' thinking and self-doubt, an equestrian mindset coach can help you. 

Most of all, be patient with yourself and your horse. Take your time. You can get back to enjoying every ride!