back in the saddle

I had a pretty bad fall back in September. Not only did it hurt my neck it bruised my ego pretty bad too. Im pretty nervous about getting back in the saddle. Any advice? Little back story. I was bringing my horse down from a trot when something spooked him and jumped to the left and I went right. Ended up cracking my helmet in two places and was very sore. I rode the next day but was terrified.

I'm in the same position as you and was planning to start a similar thread! Except for me it has been six years... so terrified :(

What I'm thinking of doing is booking myself in for some riding lessons on a dead broke riding school horse, with a qualified trainer there to guide me and help me along. That way they can even put us on a lunge line and be in control so I can focus on not hyperventilating! ;) Might be a good idea for you as well, just until you get your confidence back :) Best of luck!!

I would suggest taking it one step at a time. I agree with Misty's Girl, find a good instuctor As you have your own horse, and this is who the "issue" is with, I would think that this is who you need to work with. I know it is hard, but you will work through this mental block one day at a time as you learn to trust him again. Don't force yourself to do a full hour of hard work, 10 min walking or 30 min trotting is better than nothing and work upwards from there - we all react to these situations differently so you will know what is best for you. Best of luck with it :)

Well make sure you've got yourself a new helmet.

Poor girls.. I've been there. But I make myself get back on. Even when I got bucked off of this mare and landed on my head, I was in tears but got on and made that horse walk and trot just as we were doing. Then I got off on a good note and cried lots.. hurt soo bad all over. After that ride took me 2 weeks to get back to it, I was so scared.

But what helped me was knowing my limits and respecting them. I knew I was anxious to even sit on a horse, so I took my time getting used to them on the ground, then we'd walk and I'd get off. I'd never push myself too much, and I gave myself some extra confidence each time. Within a week I was back on my boy (which I was leasing at the time) and working through his spooks and stuff :)

Be kind to yourself, get ahold of some calm horses, and if you do take lessons be clear with what kind of instructor you want. One that gives you lots of time to cope or if you do better with people bossing you around telling you to suck it up. Sometimes you need some of each, honestly.

Best of luck, you'll be back to loving it in no time :)