The Case for NOT Getting Back on the Horse
I have a friend who poignantly says “it’s not if I fall off but when, where, and how.”
Anyone who has spent much time around horses knows this is true. As much as we’d like to think that we can avoid the inevitable, we all fall from time to time.
If you are familiar with this concept then you probably have also heard someone say that when you fall off you have to get back on the horse. I believe this is outdated and outright wrong. Here’s why.
The original thinking was that getting back on did two things: taught the horse not to do whatever they did that got you dumped, and built your confidence back up so you wouldn’t be afraid next time you got on. However, this thinking is flawed, and here’s why…
Unless you can recreate the exact situation that got you thrown and actually stick it out this time, your horse isn’t going to learn anything. Horses don’t think like we do. If your horse threw you it was likely because they were either scared or confused. Getting back on and forcing the horse to work more will only either result in another fall if, once again, you can’t sit the reaction, or no learning whatsoever because you can’t recreate the reaction.
You will be riding poorly because you will be either physically or emotionally hurt, which will put you in more danger. This won’t boost your confidence in any way. After a trauma, like a fall, your body and mind need time to heal and process. If you don’t allow yourself this the trauma will become something much bigger than you can deal with on your own.
Instead of getting back on your horse, here is what you should do.
First, take care of your physical pain. Go to the doctor if you need to. Get some ice and some arnica on board. Take it easy for a few days.
Second, talk to a trainer or skilled equestrian friend. Figure out what happened and why. Be vulnerable. Really try to understand with objectivity. Put yourself in your horse’s position. What caused them to behave the way they did?
Finally, make a plan to prevent this from happening again. What do you need to do as a rider to make sure you don’t end up in the same place again? Is there something you can do from the ground to help your horse work through the fear or confusion that led them to react? Can you ride a more steady horse until your balance and strength improve?
It is so important that you give yourself space to really heal and come back when you are ready. Confidence doesn’t come from being the toughest cowboy. Confidence comes from knowledge and tools to handle difficult situations.