I have been riding once or twice a week for the last five months, after not riding for about ten years, and yesterday I had my first fall. It wasn’t fun, but it wasn’t too bad. Tana had stepped into a hole and spooked, and I almost held on. I ended up with my right foot in the stirrup while most of me was off her, and in the end I just sort of let go. I fell about a metre onto my right hip and arm. I am a bit sore today, bust nothing was broken. It could have been worse.
She did take off though back home though, so I had to walk back. She managed to lose one rein in the process, and eventually stopped by standing on the other. I remounted and went back the same route. She spooked again in a different spot, but I held on that time. We ended on a good note I think.
I had done about 20 minute ground work with her before riding, and gave her a good brush, but I wonder if she was eager to get back to her new paddock mate. It was our first time riding out alone, and I think that, combined with the wind, was a big factor. She really seems to love Crazy, her bay thoroughbred gelding friend, and his usual paddock mate, a grey gelding named Ghost, had moved down in the pecking order.
The young girls at the riding school tell me it takes at least 21 falls before you become a good rider. Well, I have only had two falls, and the one before this was when I was about 16. I don’t think I’ll ever be a great rider. I really don’t want to fall again!
Anyway, I got back in the saddle again. We also went to look at houses and acreage today - I am determined to move out of suburbia and stop agisting. I found a great place about 30 minutes out of town – only five acres but surrounded by cane fields which would be great for riding.
It also had lovely old sheds…..
A a gorgeous old timber home.
Here’s hoping our house sells soon!
Happy Trails, Deb
