Super Slow Lesson Horse Bolted in Field

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Riding out of the ring is one of the best things for a beginner to help improve their riding and is good for the horse. Riding on your own is also a very important skill and perfectly fine for beginners. It is something many of us who grew up riding did a ton of growing up. Many of us also fell off a lot. You bounce back more easily when you are younger.

But all things need balance with safety and instruction with safety. Although horses are not machines and crap can happen.

I would not avoid riding out nor should I avoid this particular horse but you do need more help in how to ride out and basic safety. Stirrups should be adjusted before heading out. Other riders with you should stand near you if you do have to adjust something. When riding out, you never trot away from another rider without them knowing you are and if you are on the horse staying behind. Expect them to want to GO with the leaving horse. When falling you want to tuck and roll. You may think you held you head but honestly that is impossible. And by trying, you probably tensed even more. I bet you hit your head but even if you didn’t. You can slosh your brain around without hitting you head and the results are similar. I’ve give myself a mild concussion when I didn’t even fall off the horse. So be careful. Let yourself heal. When you ride again, ask your instructor to work on emergency falling.

We did a photo shoot at my farm on how to practice falling for Practical Horseman. The riders practiced falling off a moving gator. The article is worth reading for all levels and with discussion with your trainer. http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/horseback-riding-falls-jim-wofford-27838

[bornfreenowexpensive]

And just note for those reading…in the OPs first post, they described the ride as a “free” ride out in a field. What I HIGHLY suspect is that this outside but still in an “inclosed” space. Probably within sight of the barn. Probably with someone watching (even if the rider wasn’t aware). She was not set loose on 3,000 open space. She was not even sent out on a trail ride. They were allowed to ride in an open field. Guess what…that is fantastic. That is what MORE beginner riders need to be allowed to do. Sounds like there needs to be just a little more common sense talk with the other riders…basic ground rules.

I ride my young horses…barely broke in a similar situations. Hell…people start green horses and riders in similar situation. And the reaction of the OPs horse to the situation is a NORMAL reaction. I doubt he really bolted…in riding LOTS of horses for 40 years, and even many RACE horses…I’ve had 2 really bolt. I have had MANY MANY who went faster than I wanted…which is what in all likelihood happened to the OP.

And OP…sounds like he ether tripped or did a mini buck (not really taking his hind feet off the ground). Again…not unusual or even bad for a horse. It happens and if you hadn’t been caught off guard by the happenings before, probably wouldn’t have bothered you at all. Don’t consider this horse dangerous for just being a horse. But give yourself time to get your confidence up. Whenever ANY rider of ANY skill takes a fall that hurts…it takes some mental work to get your confidence back. That is totally normal.

[NC001]

My daughter has been riding almost 2 years and the first year never had a fall. Then the second year… she has had her share. She is riding more advanced beginner/intermediate type horses, riding more often, and things happen. A few of the falls have really rocked her confidence and made her nervous. Her last fall was an unfortunate set of circumstances and she was a little sore a few days. I went out and bought her a new helmet and a padded vest. The vest was more for her mentally than anything but I’m happy to have her wearing it to avoid bumps and bruises if she falls.

As for riding outside the ring, most lessons end in a short trail ride at her barn. Instructors go with the beginner kids but my daughter goes out on her own (and she’s only 10) though I usually walk with her. Only walking outside the arena though.

[findeight]

Oh, I suspect the instuctor wasn’t far away and it wasn’t the vast unfenced prairie.
But still question the wisdom of that instructor putting horses that make their living going head to tail, follow the leader out under beginners in a large enough area for one to trot off leaving the other just as she took all her attention off the horse to lean over and fool with a stirrup.

Thats safety 101 in every barn from fancy show horse to trail ride basics before the guide takes out a dude string, if it’s not taught, that’s a red flag.

The horse was just doing what he knew how to do, follow the leader. And that’s what beginner horses do and beginner instructors count on them doing in beginner lessons. Perhaps this instructor forgot it would do as it has always done whether appropriate or not out because it doesn’t know it wasn’t supposed to ignore basic instinct to stay together?

Anyway, don’t blame the horse. If other have come off, suspect the same cause. Poor supervision and lack of basic safety instruction.

[whichchick]

I’ll put in for “If you know you’re coming off, sometimes you can pick a better spot or better way to fall than just letting it go right to chance”. I do not like coming off horses. I try hard not to come off. But sometimes, well, sometimes physics gets the better of me.

Having been spooked-off (hard spook, with whirl-leap involved), bucked off, last-minute-no-jump offed, etc… there are better and worse ways to fall. If you KNOW you’re losing it, take that last two seconds aboard to pick a spot and have a better fall. (I ride mostly outside of a ring so the footing is not uniform and it really does matter where you fall and how you land.)

There is a definite difference between people who are good at falls (rolling and dispersing) and people who fall like a sack of feed (splatting)… this is a skill and you can certainly improve at it.

[HP_sblueskyenterprise]

While I find myself nodding along to all the safety procedures found in this thread, my mind keeps going back to the the fact that as a beginner I was let loose, helmetless, bareback, and with only a halter, on hundreds of acres of BLM land on a rearing pony and didn’t get hurt.

Lord knows my guardian angel was probably busy. NOT suggesting this was a great idea, but just some food for thought. Guess I’m a little old school, or my 9 year old self was not very smart (please don’t start any parent blaming here)
I’m pretty proper now though (ie certified helmet, vest if I’m on a greenie) and could never see myself sending out a beginner in this manner…I did get seriously hurt once (not as a beginner, a much more advanced rider), but it was at a supervised facility in a small round pen, with certified helmet, grab strap, and cellphone, while on a green horse…a much different story.

As for the story I told previously on this thread, that was at more of a lesson barn type deal, the BLM was my backyard.

I have learned to fall and let go in order to properly fall but it took quite a few hits to the ground it’ll come. Trot on and stay safe! :):encouragement:
I know what it’s like to be truly scared if you need help/encouragement feel free to DM me
Just sharing my personal experiences.

[GoodTimes]

[QUOTE=findeight;9021493]
Oh, I suspect the instuctor wasn’t far away and it wasn’t the vast unfenced prairie.
But still question the wisdom of that instructor putting horses that make their living going head to tail, follow the leader out under beginners in a large enough area for one to trot off leaving the other just as she took all her attention off the horse to lean over and fool with a stirrup.

Thats safety 101 in every barn from fancy show horse to trail ride basics before the guide takes out a dude string, if it’s not taught, that’s a red flag.

The horse was just doing what he knew how to do, follow the leader. And that’s what beginner horses do and beginner instructors count on them doing in beginner lessons. Perhaps this instructor forgot it would do as it has always done whether appropriate or not out because it doesn’t know it wasn’t supposed to ignore basic instinct to stay together?

Anyway, don’t blame the horse. If other have come off, suspect the same cause. Poor supervision and lack of basic safety instruction.[/QUOTE]

I agree that someone probably should have pointed out to them that you should always give a heads up to your fellow riders if you’re speeding up. But, I’m not calling “red flag” on the instructor and the barn. Most barns consider nose to tail lesson horses to be a good thing both in and out of the ring. As long as everyone is paying attention it’s usually safer.

[Raine]

Not that I am an expert, but I believe you can still have a brain injury from a hard fall even if your head itself doesn’t hit the ground. It’s great to hear that you didn’t actually hit your head, and seems like you are past 48 hours alive and kicking, so that’s a good sign! But if you have persistent headaches or any vision issues, get that checked out.

Welcome to being a rider! Sadly, we all come off now and then. Just need to reduce the odds any way possible…and it sounds like you’ve gotten great advice on that. Good luck, work through your fear, and have fun!