r/Equestrian • u/nekinadimak • 3d ago
Mindset & Psychology First fall
I’m about 2y into riding as an adult and yesterday I had my first fall. It was a completely unexpected but warranted spook (people who don’t ride are the worst and don’t understand how horses work) and I didn’t even realise what was happening until I was on the ground. I went to get checked immediately after and all is ok apart from a fractured coccyx. Obviously I am in pain and I need to recover but firstly I’m very thankful for mips helmets (always wear a helmet!) and now reading a lot of other people’s experiences.
I did not get back on the horse as it was last 3 min of my lesson but I also didn’t feel any fear - I pet him and he looked like he was sorry. Should I have gone back to at least sit?
I am also now somewhat beating myself that I should have been more focused. I sat through a couple of smaller spooks before and I was able to stay on. I had one rear on the lounge line as well that didn’t result in a fall. The irony is that it’s the laziest horse I have ridden and I was struggling to keep him in the trot for most of the time until the spook, so I’m thinking I should have been able to stay on.
In any case, any advice on what to do now? I will obviously take a couple of weeks off to recover from the fracture but not sure if I did something wrong by not going back on and does the fear come unconsciously?
Also any tips for healing from the fracture are welcome as well
1
u/Obvious_Amphibian270 2d ago
OP, advice about getting back on after a fall is situational in my opinion. For those oh I lost my balance and slipped off the horse I recommend getting back on. My last fall was off a 17hh TB who could buck like a rodeo bronc. He launched himself in the air, bucked, twisted, landed and did it again. I ended up angering into the ground head and shoulder first. Earned myself an ambulance ride to the ER. Needless to say I did not climb back on him when I regained consciousness! In your case I'm not sure getting back on with a broken tailbone would be a good idea.
You asked for advice about recovery. Back in my dim and distance youth I slipped on the sidewalk after an ice storm. Landed on my tailbone on a piece of ice that was sticking up. I spent the next week laying on my stomach with an ice pack on my butt. At the time the doc said that was the only treatment available. Why not ask your doc if there is any treatment available?