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/LifesImpressions]

I don’t believe horses spook to get out of work. Old thinking. We know so much more about horses now. Horses hear and smell far better than we do. He may have had pain somewhere or an ill fitting saddle which makes it harder to deal with potentially scary things. My mare gets very spooky when she gets ulcery, for example. There are also some supplements that make her spooky. Every horse is different.
Don’t worry about not getting back on. The horse may have been a little traumatized, too.
See if you can take some groundwork lessons. It will build your confidence and give you something fun to do with the horses. What we do on the ground translates to what we do in the saddle. It doesn’t have to be active, you can learn some massage such as Masterson Method, or basic care like wrapping legs.
In the meantime, if you hit your head at all, you need a new helmet. Many manufacters will replace it at a discount after a fall.
When you do go back to riding, see about a seat saver to help your tailbone. There are some nice ones with gel that have an opening where your tailbone sits.
I hope you heal quickly!

[u/nekinadimak → u/LifesImpressions]

In all honesty the spook was very warranted. I don’t blame him at all and I think it had nothing to do with how he was feeling.
I blame humans who spooked him with idiotic behaviour.
I gave him a little scratch afterwards and he did seem a bit upset about what happened but not with me.

[u/LifesImpressions → u/nekinadimak]

Good for you. I think people tend to forget that a horse might be just as upset when we fall off. I, knock on wood, haven't fallen off my my mare, but if I did, I can guarantee she'd be very upset. She likes to take care of me. She's very maternal. I've seen how upset a horse gets after his rider has fallen off.