Paradigm (safety) changes in sport

[CHT]

I am taking going to be boarding for a junior rider again, after years of only adults. It is going to take some adjusting to always including a parent in communication. I think it is a GOOD thing, but it is still taking some getting used to.

The other thing that is going to take getting used to, is getting over the idea of “if you fall off, it is important to get right back on” (if the rider has a possible concussion). I have never forced a rider to get back on, but normally they want to. Should this type of situation occur, is there anything you find helps in the moment, to ensure they are mentally ok when they are fine to ride again?

[alternate_universe]

I hope you haven’t been encouraging your adult rides to get back after falls this whole time.

I’m no TBI expert, but IME you typically want to make sure the person is oriented (knows where they are, who they are, etc.), remembers what just happened, and is not experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, vision issues, sudden mood or personality changes, memory loss, or difficultly speaking normally. Given what we know now about concussions and the spectrum of symptoms and the variation in the onset of symptoms, I would think that best practice would be calling it a day after a direct head hit.

[CPL713]

To echo what was already said, we always make someone who has fallen sit still for a bit and run through the symptoms of a concussion (you can google them and print off a checklist or screenshot it to keep on your phone). Just asking if they are okay doesn’t work – I have been asked that question many times and said yes when the answer should have been no; lol.

If they don’t have symptoms presenting and want to get back on, the most I’d let them do if they hit their head was maybe get back on to walk a lap or two just to settle their nerves, and then call it a day. But really, best practice would be to NOT get back on. Concussion symptoms don’t always show up right away.

Make sure they (and parents, if applicable) know what to be on the lookout for as far as symptoms once they go home, too.

[StormyDay]

If it’s a direct head hit we are done for the day. I am very adamant that people must go to the ER if they hit their head because you are falling from a far way up.

But otherwise I was always told, and I really feel it’s important, to always get back on. If you don’t, the last thing you end that ride on is fear. And that can really mess with your riding from then on out.

[Calvincrowe]

Head injuries aren’t the only ones to worry about. Soft tissue, internal, and orthopedic injuries can occur from relatively simple falls. Instructors need to have basic first aid training and to be observant. Always tell a parent if a child/junior falls if they aren’t there to witness it. From personal experience, you can be “fine” immediately after a fall, but minutes later, the pain hits or gets worse and an hour later you’re urinating blood in the ED department, being surrounded by the trauma team to treat your lacerated kidney from a simple “stop, roll over the shoulder, land on your side” fall that never involved your head at all.

[CHT]

My adults rarely fall off, so it has been a non-issue. Not that I expect a youth to be more likely to fall off, but I also think that kids are more likely to be mentally affected by a fall than an adult - perhaps without being as easy to admit it. That is my question - not how to tell if someone has to sit it out, but how to ensure they will be ok to get back on (mentally) once they have finished their recovery.

My experience as a RIDER with my own coaches, is you get back on after falling, so I haven’t dealt with the experience of having to not get back on. Does that make sense?

[173north]

Everyone is different, but I’m not personally sold on the idea that getting right back on is the best or only way to prevent fear issues in the future. I think it’s pretty old fashioned… if you’re in a car accident, no one tells you to go for a drive immediately after, right?

I had a really gnarly fall, the worst in 20+ years of riding, while jumping a few months ago. I was absolutely not capable of getting back on, got a golf cart ride back to the barn, and had to take a month off riding to heal. I got right back to riding and jumping with no problems once my physical issues resolved.

I think the best and simplest thing is to make sure they take it really slow if they’ve fallen hard. Catch their horse for them and tell them to take their time getting up. Let them catch their breath, see how they feel, hang out for 10 or 15 minutes in the arena, drink a water, let the shock/adrenaline wear off, see if they’re feeling worse or better. Then ask if they want to be done for the day, get on an trot a little x-rail, have you school the horse over a few jumps, etc.

You can’t plan for every eventuality or accident. Every situation where a rider falls is going to be different. But you can create an environment where riders know they have agency and feel safe to call it a day.

[CHT]

Except I can’t leave it up to them to decide of they get back on. if I suspect a head injury, getting back on is OFF the table, for days at least, and not up to the participant. They may also be wise to miss school or work. It is great that you didn’t suffer fear issues after falling off, but think more of someone who doesn’t have as much of a history of riding (new rider, or rider who hasn’t owned a horse for long). I am wondering about the best way to help them so they don’t develop lasting fear issues.

Perhaps because my bread and butter is adult clients who had previously developed anxiety/fear issues around riding, I am more aware of the long term potential of improperly handled riding trauma?

There is a general sports clinic on fear/anxiety I may take next month, but I am having trouble thinking of a sport that would have the same complex elements as riding does.