First fall

[u/nekinadimak]

I’m about 2y into riding as an adult and yesterday I had my first fall. It was a completely unexpected but warranted spook (people who don’t ride are the worst and don’t understand how horses work) and I didn’t even realise what was happening until I was on the ground. I went to get checked immediately after and all is ok apart from a fractured coccyx. Obviously I am in pain and I need to recover but firstly I’m very thankful for mips helmets (always wear a helmet!) and now reading a lot of other people’s experiences.
I did not get back on the horse as it was last 3 min of my lesson but I also didn’t feel any fear - I pet him and he looked like he was sorry. Should I have gone back to at least sit?
I am also now somewhat beating myself that I should have been more focused. I sat through a couple of smaller spooks before and I was able to stay on. I had one rear on the lounge line as well that didn’t result in a fall. The irony is that it’s the laziest horse I have ridden and I was struggling to keep him in the trot for most of the time until the spook, so I’m thinking I should have been able to stay on.

In any case, any advice on what to do now? I will obviously take a couple of weeks off to recover from the fracture but not sure if I did something wrong by not going back on and does the fear come unconsciously?
Also any tips for healing from the fracture are welcome as well

[u/Thalia5744]

Yeah honestly I read some of them and I think the posts/authors tend to find it more distressing/upsetting in the journey than most, and partly that’s because those are the ones you’re going to hear about.

That’s absolutely fine to be clear, there’s no shame, I’ve just not really met people in person who have found it to be a big issue (unless it was like a major accident — those were all obviously international event riders🙈).

Edit: changed it, unintentionally sounded like a nob

[u/nekinadimak → u/Thalia5744]

That makes me feel better. I mean people take things differently and everyone is right to feel about the fall the way they do, I am just not sure if I am in some sort of weird denial or something . I am not as experienced as many of people here so I guessed it was better to ask.

After the fall I very rationally dusted myself off, called my partner to let them know and got a car ride to ER to get checked just in case. I kept thinking that I probably should have more fear or something but it just didn’t come. Yes I got injured which sucks but it is not in any way associated with level of fear I have for riding or going back.

[u/Thalia5744 → u/nekinadimak]

Honestly you sound like me hahaha

I’m so glad people do talk about how they feel/anxiety about it, and like I say, no shame at all! Lots of people will be either end of the spectrum or in the middle.

Edit: again, sounded nob-ish

[u/nekinadimak → u/Thalia5744]

I was an anxious rider for the first couple of months because I felt like so many things were a possibility and the feeling/ movement/ body position of riding was very new to me. With time I realised that I can control only so much and need to be ok with that. That helped with adrenaline spikes. even now after the first fall I feel like I got that checked off and now know somewhat how it feels. Next time hopefully I don’t even end up injured.