Horseback riding is a very dangerous sport by nature. We are riding thousand-pound animals who can very easily hurt us if either of us makes the wrong move. A lot of people know the risk that is associated with horseback riding, but the positives outweigh the risk of something dangerous happening for most people. I have had my fair share of sports-related injuries, but that hasn’t stopped me from moving forward and getting back on the horse. 

What happened to me

In the summer before my sophomore of high school, I was competing at a State finals horse show with my pony Charlie. He was very spooky and looked at almost every jump. I remember this day like it was yesterday. I was so nervous when I was schooling him before my class because he kept refusing. We moved into a bigger schooling ring to let him run around and do a couple more jumps before I did my course. I was cantering to the jump and felt something was off but my trainer was screaming at me to keep going, so out of fear of getting him mad, I went. A stride away from the jump Charlie tripped but also tried to jump, which sent me flying 10 feet away from the jump and him on the floor. I landed on my stomach, grabbing the sand and fighting to catch my breath. I thought that was the end for me. I was crying through my labored breath and couldn’t move. The EMT ran over and put me on a stretcher and took me directly to the Trenton Trauma Hospital in an ambulance. I remember every bump in the road sending a shock through my back. My mom was with me and my dad and sister met me there, where I had to have an MRI and a ct scan to make sure there wasn’t any internal bleeding. The results came back and I had fractured several vertebrae in my back. It was too painful to even move so I was given crutches and told to stay off my feet. I had to go to a doctor for my back and get a back brace, which I thought was very embarrassing as a new high schooler. When I was in the hospital I surprisingly felt grateful. I hadn’t broken my back, I didn’t have any internal bleeding, I just fractured a couple of bones. There were people all around me with serious injuries, and it made me realize how lucky I was in that situation. The moment I left the hospital I was ready to get back on the horse.

What happened to me part 2

So fast forward 2 years to winter of senior year. I was leasing the best horse I have ever had, Mark. We had a lesson on a cold night, where he was feeling a little frisky. I hadn’t fallen off since my last traumatic fall and was dreading when it was going to happen next. I wasn’t constantly fearing it, but I knew when the day came it would not be fun. Mark and I were going to a jump and as he was leaving the ground, he took another step before the jump, causing me to lose my balance. I was hanging on by the side of his neck but eventually just realized it would be safer to fall. I pushed off of his neck and fell, but he ended up stepping on my thigh. That was one of the most painful things I have ever gone through. A thousand-pound animal stepping on my thigh. I was crying on the floor as my trainers ran over. I was on the swim team so I had to take off from that because it felt like my muscles were being pulled apart every time I swam. I had a massive bruise on my leg and I still have muscle issues on my leg to this day. I got it checked out but they said the only thing that could make it better was physical therapy.

How I came back from it

I didn’t go near a horse for three months, which was the longest I took off from horseback riding. I went back and just did flatwork until I had a lesson with my friend who jumps the same height as me. She was jumping around and my trainers kept egging me on and I got to a point where it was now or never. If I kept being nervous I know I wouldn’t have jumped again, so I just did it and it went better than I could’ve imagined. My leg would hurt after each ride but I kept going and challenging myself to get ready for Marshal & Sterling Finals. September rolled around and it was time to shine at the show. I was anxious but also so determined to show myself I could do it and win. I ended up getting first place at my last horseshow before college. That alone left me with the boost of confidence I needed before becoming a real adult.

Overall

It might take you a week to get back into the saddle or it might take you a year. It really depends on your situation and how comfortable you feel getting back on. Don’t get mad at yourself for taking too long or allow anyone to guilt you into riding sooner. If you are not comfortable to start jumping again after a fall, then wait. The horse and trainer are almost always going to be there. Put you and your safety first. You don’t want to make such a therapeutic and fun sport stressful. The first ride is going to be really scary and hard, but remember how fearless and strong you were before!