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Jon Pitts
10 Feb 2009 21:46
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Here goes: I'm looking to get rider's feedback on whether they try too hard to maintain the "partnership" during a fall? Is there an instinct that tries to cling on rather than falling and getting away? Does the "one fall and you're out" rule in eventing increase this? I'd be grateful for everyone's thoughts, and if you badger Fiona enough she might let you see some of the reaction stuff we've been working on when we next film with her!
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Fiona Price
10 Feb 2009 22:03
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I think staying on is a deep-rooted instinct that's drilled into you from the moment you learn to ride. Also, somehow, self preservation tells you it's safer to be on than off! Furthermore, there is the risk of your horse getting away and doing damage to himself that way if you become separated.
I remember on one occassion being unseated over a particularly large hedge out hunting and much to the amusement of the rest of the field, I did a great 'limpit' impressions for 500 yards or so, with my legs and arms wrapped round the side of the horse's neck until through sheer exhaustion, I just had to let go! I think the powers that be will be fighting a losing battle on this one unless they start with Pony Club and wait a few generations! And then, no doubt, there will research that finds too many injuries are sustained through riders not trying hard enough to stay on! This is a no win. Far better to help people become better horsemen and women and ride at an appropriate speed and on good lines to fences, and being able think quickly!
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Sophie.M
16 Mar 2009 21:21
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I think it might be a good idea to tell people the safest way to fall so if you do end up falling if you have time to adjust yourself you can fall better and have a better chance of escaping with less injury. But also to tell riders to try and stay on for as long as you can.
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jesster
17 Mar 2009 14:08
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There's a bit of a debate about whether a back protector can be unhelpful in a fall as it might prevent you rolling out of harm's way. As a worried Mum I want my (grown-up) child to wear a back protector for all jumping events (SJ, hunting and xcountry) but I am told that only for xcountry is it necessary. What would you advise?
I'm looking to get rider's feedback on whether they try too hard to maintain the "partnership" during a fall? Is there an instinct that tries to cling on rather than falling and getting away? Does the "one fall and you're out" rule increase this? I'd be grateful for everyone's thoughts, and if you badger Fiona enough she might let you see some of the reaction stuff we've been working on!"
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fionnghualaSS
25 Mar 2009 11:30
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Having recently had experience of a serious accident in which an eventing friend was injured more by trying to remain in partnership than if she has parted company sooner, I think we should look to the training given to jockeys regarding the 'right' and 'wrong' way to take a fall. Though I appreciate that the probablility of getting galloped over is greater whilst racing, it is clear that with practice one's instict can be modified. With regard to regaining control and staying on, maybe more should be done to work on 'core' balance of riders?
With the advent of more technically difficult XC courses - even at lower levels, the gung-ho, best of luck, riding style must be reconsidered in order to keep an exhilarating sport as safe as is realistically possible
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joallan
26 May 2010 21:29
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I have fallen off and i have even jumped off, over a period of fifty five years. There are a few falls that I remember and many that are not memorable, the most important thing is the substrate, ie soft is good, hard is bad.
Now force = mass X acceleration ("o" level physics).
Therefore if my horse and myself are walking gently, i can slip on to the ground without injury. If he is going fast and i fall on a concrete substrate, it looks bad. If I fall on my bum i will be cushioned, if i fall on my wrist, I will be in trouble!
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Maxineruth
06 Jun 2010 17:47
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I recently had a very bad fall. Before I used to fall off for every little minor thing and apart from bruises never seemed to hurt myself. Now I fall off infrequently but I seem to hurt myself quite badly. I think in most cases if I had parted company with the horse sooner I would not have hurt myself so badly but with each fall my fear of falling increases as does my desire to stay with the horse. Human instinct doesn't adjust for crazy riders.
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joallan
24 Sep 2010 17:10
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For a fit young person (not me!) the best thing is to hold on to the reins, for the average fall out hacking and at slower paces, this will cause you to land on your feet, and have control of thee horse, if you are very agile, you can leap on board and continue as though nothing happened,
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DressageSpain
25 Sep 2010 19:33
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I definately think that Fiona is right, you do develop a deep instinct that automatically comes into action when you get into a place where you may come unstuck.
With any young horse, I always feel it important to stay on if possible. If they think that they can get you off, then that does develop into a habit.
In my experience, I had one particular young horse who was a real rodeo contender and he has helped me develop a real stickable seat to be able to deal with him - this has now seen me in good stead to be able to know where my centre of gravity is and be able to "restore order" to the situation.
I do also agree that the one fall and you're out rule in eventing makes riders especially determined to stay on. You see some impressive perfomances on the XC courses.
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EquiVenture
23 Jun 2011 12:50
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To my mind there is a point during every fall when you realise that you are about to come off. It is at this point where you need to resign you rself to the fact and get busy with falling properly. If you try to recover at this point you are probably going to make it worse.
That said I fall off about twice a year and I definitely don't bounce as well as I used to so I try to stay on if at all possible.
I think that the most inportant thing for riders to realise is that falling off is inevitable and its only a matter of time until it happens. But we can control to a certain extent the how and so try to limit the damage to ourselves and hopefully our horses too.
The suggestion to hang on with your arms/hands has worked well for me as that helps to land on your feet or bottom instead of your head or arms. The trick is again knowing when to let go.
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LittleTurkey
26 Jun 2011 20:29
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I agree Equiventure, the key is knowing when to bail out., I am a clinger by nature have saved myself a good bruising on many occasions with my limpet impression. My pony was a bit of a git when I first got him and I had to convince him that it was more effort to get rid of me than not! I usually cling until I've thought through my landing, I hurt myself less if I give myself that extra second to think things through.
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josher
19 Nov 2011 21:09
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Falling off is never fun. Usually it just happens and there's no time to think about it especially if you're moving at anything faster than a trot.That said I broke my ribs during the summer while we were just walking, he stopped to give himself a scratch, took a step back. I wasn't paying attention, so istead of sitting up I slumped forward he reared to try and keep me on and wham broken ribs. It's horse riding! Your best bet is to be turned on, tuned in and as ready as you can be.
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