At 16:44:46 on 04.02.10, HorseGal91 wrote:
I had a bad fall while jumping about a month ago and broke my ankle. I was going over a jump and Eddie took off early and jumped really big. I was unable to regain my balance on the other side and flew off slamming into the wall. The video shows about half of the fall, the person taking it panicked when they saw me falling and stopped filming. Anyways it's gonna be a few months before I can start riding again but I'm afraid that when I do start riding I'll have lost a lot of confidence. Anyone have any tips on how to regain my confidence when I am able to start riding again.

At 16:01:11 on 05.02.10, Flicka wrote:
Probably a good start is not to keep replaying this video in your head especially with the Ouch bit!! Go into some of the other threads and you'll see Caroline has recommended Bach flower remedies for a situation like yours. You may think they are hocus pocus but a lot of us have found them to work! The positive thing I would take from watching your fall is that your horse did nothing wrong or nasty. He just surprised you by taking off quite early and you lost your balance on the other side. It was just bad luck that the wall got in the way! Think about all the good times you have together, this was just a small blip and these things happen when we ride. When you get back to riding again I would work on improving your balance over trot poles and then canter poles. Join the jumping group for some more tips on jumping. Meantime why don't you read the thread in this group on getting fit to ride and whilst you're not riding do some exercises to strengthen your core and improve your balance. Good luck.

At 15:30:39 on 09.02.10, CarolineP wrote:
Hi HorseGal, sorry to hear about your ankle. Yes, as Flicka says, I think Bach Flower Remedies would help you to get over this. Rescue Remedy, which you may have come across, is a mixture of 5 of the 38 remedies, and would not be the best for you. Star of Bethlehem deals with shock, so you'd need that one plus others that fit your personal emotional symptoms. Only watch your video one more time. Have the intention to see what you can learn from it and then delete it. The more you watch it, the more power it has over you, so ditch it. Having watched the video, I can see that your heel was coming up as you approached the jump and it was your unstable lower leg that allowed the fall to happen. I'd suggest that you spend some time mentally practising your approach and jump with your stirrup slightly shorter, your lower leg further forward, your upper body inclined slightly forward, and your seat slightly lighter than normal but still in the saddle. Mental rehearsal will help you to perfect your technique before you do it for real again. As Flicka says, this was just one of those things, but I think you can modify your position to make this less likely to happen. Hope you're feeling better soon :) Kind regards, Caroline.
http://www.enjoyriding.com

At 16:22:35 on 26.02.10, dressagegirl wrote:
I had a bad crash off of my 17.3HH thoroughbred a couple of years ago. I broken my ribs, wrist, collar bone and shifted my pelvis. i am still riding but do not have the confidence i once had. i now have a 4 year old tenesee walker who needs a lot of work and this crash is holding me back from making her the best dressage prospect she can be. Any tips? Thank you! =)

At 15:15:58 on 13.03.10, CarolineP wrote:
Hi dressagegirl. It's understandable that you don't have the confidence you used to have. However, it is perfectly possible to regain your confidence after a bad fall or injury. Again, Bach Flower Remedies would help you to get over the shock that is still held in your body and mind. Star of Bethlehem is the remedy for this. I would echo my advice to HorseGal: learn anything useful from your accident (eg how to make it less likely to happen again) and then be ruthless about leaving it in the past where it belongs. Confidence comes when we feel competent and equal to the challenge. So what else could you do to make yourself feel competent with your young horse? Keep yourself grounded and use Calming Breathing to help yourself and your horse. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Take TWICE as long to breathe out as you did to breathe in. This kind of breathing will keep you calm and will help the horse, too. Use it as soon as you feel even slightly uncomfortable and practise it until it becomes second nature to you. There are lots of other things you can do to help yourself - have a look through the other posts in this group. I hope you're enjoying your young horse again soon. Kind regards, Caroline
http://www.enjoyriding.com

At 20:03:31 on 07.05.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I usually imagine how funny i looked and laugh at myself, i am one of those lucky people who arenn't phased by falls. But if i was you i would just take it slow, stort off with the things you enjoy and know you can do with your eyes closed and build yourself back up.

At 23:09:43 on 07.05.10, CaffCaff wrote:
Hey Horsegal, looking at this video, the horse shows clear confidence over the fence. I think, perhaps the balance was a bit off due the early take off. I think you should have faith that getting back on, and going through various balancing techniques; i.e, standing whilst trotting over poles, may help, if you wish to take things slowly. However, if you wish to cut to the chase and face your fears, you need to pretend you're a spirit level, and you have to stay central to the horse. Rather than unseat yourself and preparing for a huge jump, simple wrap your legs around and keep him going central. By hugging your legs around the horse, you are firmly a pair working over the fence. I wish you my best : ) and hope i helped

At 18:32:32 on 07.06.10, flashboy wrote:
hi just carry on this might not happen again if your nervours on your horses back they can sence this and will be more spooky about little things they are not normaly. carry on and yours and your horses confadance will grow together dont be scared. also the horse did take off early try to get your balance right or put a martingale on your horse just for something to hold on to if your horses does do this againe

At 12:10:59 on 14.06.10, kibby wrote:
you should be confident in the fact that it was just an accident, you and the horse simply came unstuck.. I definitely agree with the bach remedies, i am the biggest skeptic but not of remedies.. i do have to agree you lower leg is a little unstable.. the best thing to help with this is to constantly ride in your two point seat. focusing on being able to support yourself not using your reins as support.. and bring your stirrups up a hole or two and your set.. When it comes time to getting back on, set yourself a goal each day.. It makes you want to work for something and if you are determined to reach something then you are less likely to let anything stop you

At 19:50:48 on 10.07.10, Natasha wrote:
The other day I went into cante with me horse and she started to buck. I stayed on for two of the bucks then i flew over her head. My head and stomach slamming to the ground. Then my horse trampled ontop of me which didnt make it any better. Luckily i didnt break anything but I did fracture my wrist and ankle. I cant seem to trust her in canter anymore because I no she could go at any time.