I actually had a call with Natalie and that was when I decided to find a therapist.
She’s amazing btw. Such a wonderful human.
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She is totally worth it. I did a call with her once and would love to do the whole program sometime!
Glad you had a good first lesson and are getting lots of great advice already here!
I also had a bad fall a couple years ago because I put myself and horse in a stupid situation and it could have been much worse than it was. I am MUCH more secure and confident in the saddle when my core is in shape. The stronger my core, the more comfortable I am with letting my seat move with the horse, which keeps him relaxed too. In addition to riding, I do some simple floor exercises for core strength every night to keep things structurally sound and the resulting lower ab “seat belt” feeling makes all the difference for my anxiety.
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I actually want to strengthen my core, do you mind sharing what helps?
I do pilates and it helps a lot! I haven’t tried a rider-specific fitness program yet, but there are lots of free pilates workouts on Youtube. Move with Nicole is my favorite and she has plenty of beginner-friendly 20-30 minute options.
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“I am ok, because I know what to do.”
Sometimes the best answers are practical. Feeling that at least we know where to start if: runaway; bucking; refusing to turn or respond to rider guidance; lost balance when horse did something unexpected.
Feeling that you have been instructed and rehearsed in a non-threatening situation/environment, might be a step to feeling safe.
And that you can work through the solution, as it may not be immediate results.
The “heirarchy of needs” originally had food at the top of the pyramid, but more research saw that, fairly universally in all species, the true highest need is: Safety. Security. Not so much being in an environment with no jeopardies (may not exist), but a feeling that one can handle things that are known to go wrong.
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There is a program called pilatesforequestrians with video workouts you can try; I think they do a free 7-day trial. Haybalesandbarbells is another equestrian-focused subscription service with (I believe) a weightlifting program targeted to equestrians. She just got sponsored by PS of Sweden, which is exciting! I mean, not relevant 
, but exciting for her.
There is an excellent book called “Riding Fear Free.” Check Amazon.
It has a section for instructors/trainers so they can work effectively with fearful riders returning to lessons. Most instuctors have never had a significant mishap . They have no idea how a rider feels when they start again. They often push you beyond your comfort zone figuring if they challenge you, you will return to your previous level of performance and continue on from there.
If you are comfortable mounting, walk 10 strides at the walk, and are reday to dismount, do so. Always end in a good place. If you can only do 6 steps tomorrow, dismount. Don’t feel like you’ve taken steps backwards. End in a good place. Maybe the next day you’ll be okay with 12 strides. Always end in a good place.
I dealt with this 22 years ago. A friend and I were on a nice trail, new to us. My horse stumbled and fell on his knees - sort of like blowing a tire on the turnpike. I kind of rolled off to avoid breaking something. Hyperextended my back and did significant permanent damage to my brachial plexus on the right side. Fortunately my right hand works fine. I cannot lift my right arm to my head and flexion in the elbow is about 50%. Lost the function in the infraspinatis. When I started riding again I did it with a friend on the lead rope at the end of a line of kids walking around the hayfield at the end of their lesson. I was learnimg how to ride with one arm. I was at a large barn with an excellent therapeurtic riding program. That’s when we learned my horse was young and energetic. He knew when to chill for riders with disabilties. He turned out to be a perfect therapy horse, which he was for the next 20 years. If you wee a barn rat, you worked hard to gallop around the jumps.
Work at a pace you are comfortable with. If your instructor pushes too hard, find another one.
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Sorry! Busy weekend.
Looks like some others suggested good programs for riders! I try to do yoga 3x a week (not just stretching poses but good balance challenging, core engaging stuff) but additionally, I do videos from the MadFit youtube channel. She’s very very intense, but if you start out being able to do half of a ten minute abs video, eventually you’ll be able to do the whole thing if you keep at it (start by focusing on form and not speed/reps)! Her booty videos don’t hurt either. Get those glute meds strong to maintain leg position done from your core.
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