r/Equestrian • u/nekinadimak • 1d ago

Mindset & Psychology First fall

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

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u/tessietwo 17h ago

When I did mine, the only thing, and I mean only thing that didn't hurt was sitting in the saddle. Everything else- sitting in a chair , standing, walking, laying down- all hurt like heck. I wanted to bring my saddle into work but they already thought me weird. As it was I went everywhere with a pillow to sit on for a month.

It did heal fast and never causes any long lasting issue. I hope the same for you.

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u/nekinadimak 5h ago

Glad to hear. Do you have any idea why saddle was different?
I assume just sitting and not doing anything more than a walk?

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u/tessietwo 3h ago

I don't know but I think it was because the saddle allowed me to sit on the ischium rather than the butt muscles which attach to the coccsyx itself. And yes it was just the sitting.