Falls Can Happen. Here's How to Prepare

Whenever we ride, we take the risk of falling. Learn how to prepare for falls with this simple exercise.
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[@jamesmcdermott5048]

When falling, always holler loudly, 'Geronimo". It won't bar injury, but it sounds cool, and makes falling more fun! ;-)

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

@Julia Sheehy yep, some... ;-)

[@katherineklevenow1808]

I'll try to remember that

[@rachaelw5655]

James McDermott My lad had his first fall yesterday, he was a champ; I think he’d like to say that too 😂

[@that_hunter_jumper818]

XD ya I don’t know how the horse or my trainer is going to react to that so I don’t think ima try it XD

[@that_hunter_jumper818]

Hmm I already replied but I didn’t say this. I will say Geronimo just not holler it. I shall see if that works. XD

[@nancysayers6883]

Hard to prepare for a fall when it happens so unexpectedly. I was always taught to roll to your side. Most people who fall, hit shoulder or head first. I will practice this roll & hope to remember. TU!

[@erniebert8436]

Hi, thank you for this video! I would like to assure everybody that practice is going to pay off... as a kid, I did a lot of judo, and practiced falling extensively. More than 30 years later, it saved me when I flew headfirst off amidst the pony ears and doing a perfect roll. Before I even knew what had happened, I lay on the ground with the grace of a beatle on its back, unhurt. So, do yourself a favor, everybody, and roll for it!

[@stacyenzmann1230]

Today was my first time being dumped off a horse--she isn't joking that this rolling motion is the best start! I have a background in sparring martial arts and I started with the baby roll first too when I was learning my falls. As I was getting dumped today, I knew it was happening and, according to my husband, I executed a beautiful ukemi/side break fall! Was able to get right back up and remount my lovely horse.

[@pariahmouse7794]

My only fall so far was literally in slow motion, I slid slowly off the side at the slowest trot possible and landed gently on my bum, the riding instructor couldn't stop laughing... So needless to say that one didn't scare me. I am well acquainted with the fetal position, (haha😝) so this exercise should be fun! I love how CRK focuses on so many aspects of horsemanship, I have learned SO MUCH from y'all, thank you again for so many great videos!

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

Doesn't count!

[@mallory3308]

Haha, my first fall was pretty similar to that! I was doing sitting trot with no stirrups on a mare with a really bouncy trot. She sped up the *tiniest* bit, and off I went. Landed awfully near some horse poop.

[@featheredfoothill]

If you have a side scooter, you don't get "thrown" at all, you just are in mid air, in the riding position while the horse exits your body. That was my first ever fall, yes it did hurt, straight on my bum. But I will never own a 16+hh horse because of it. We were at a walk too when she spooked and scooted 100mph. 13.1 hh, fell off a few times, either standing, or bum, no pain at all. Drafts. Need I say more. Ride a short couch. It's a matter of physics, height determines probability of injury many times, especially with the brain. When she talks about the head flopping, that's a coup contra coup brain injury and your brain bounces like a ball within the skull so you get two points of impact. Head tucked is good advice, that's why they say to do this with an airplane about to go out of control as well. Although I'd rather not compare falling off a horse to a plane crashing.

[@laurelcook9078]

Just wait, you’ll have so many you’ll lose count. I don’t remember how many times I got thrown off, fell off, or ended up on the neck.

[@Luca-sb5ri]

Same haha

[@HenryFMora]

I used to do Aikido, a Martial Arts. We used to do this technique. One I tripped into the street while walking. I automatically rolled and stood up. As a cyclist, I’ve rolled sideways during a crash while still clipped into the pedals. While horseback riding, I did not see riders who were prepared in case they got thrown.

[@dohavename6775]

Doing these rolls casually from time to time, simply for fun of it... Maybe this was what saved my neck during First Fall (sob) last Monday. 'T was trail riding. My gelding tripped during hasty trot. I landed onto neck [!] and shoulder, rolled on my left side. Though yay, the horse and I seem to be fine, lol

[@equinoyogapilatesmadridval6172]

i am practicing pilates “roll like a ball” and similar asanas in yoga. The control over your body is not just core training itself but also training your mind. don’t be scared or nervous, be open and flexible with your mind. It is very important to teach risks and offer solutions for accidents. every riding school should do this. rarely are warming up exercises and/or stretching exercises shown, you should always prepare your psoas before mounting a horse.

[@emilym3139]

oh my that was harder than I thought it would be I better keep practicing

[@pamelabrinkmeyer9931]

I did it! Thank you for doing a video on this topic! ☀️

[@Mjaetee]

I did it! And looking forward to follow ups on this video! Thanx Callie!

[@user-ig9ri5er1c]

I did it! I actually fell as I was mounting the horse this week. Slid down the mounting block. The mounting block tipped over as I was about to mount the horse. Happened so fast. Didn’t break my hip…thank God! Very bruised up tho. Landed on my back side on the tipped over mounting block. Horse was great, he never moved. Been watching your mounting video.

[@theduckie701]

I fell off my horse today at a riding lesson, We were cantering and the girl behind me was far back, so she wanted to catch up, and her horse bolted, which made my horse gallop too and chase her horse, then i fell off and had a slight concussion, im fine now though.

[@elizabethv.4416]

Thank you for sharing helpful safety information such as this. :)

[@SusannMarieDye]

Callie, WOW! Great video! Love the tuck the chin part. I do that. Yeah I was doing something right! I need to learn the turn in to a ball part. This is such a cool video. Fact you will fall off and you may even get launched, so this is important. I protect my head and my shoulder best, I want to avoid a broken collar bone, concussion, and broken neck. So far so good on all of those. I have had an ACL replaced and a hip injury all from trying to land the best possible way or doing the best I can to stay on. You can get hurt stay in on too, strange but true.

[@plse3575]

Very good video!!❤️

[@lisaphillips5495]

Thank you for this, Callie! I recently fell and broke 7 ribs and my T10. I am certain that I would have come away in better shape if I had seen this and prepared beforehand. Wish every riding instructor made falling and e-dismounts part of their regular curriculum. Once my bones have mended, I will be adding this to my daily routine!

[@stephaniephouotrides2435]

My new gym exercise. Thank you.

[@nancyfarren3352]

Hi Callie, I just took my first fall a little over a week ago. I broke my humerus. Wish I’d watched this and practiced rolling before I fell. I don’t know but might have helped. Watching this video was on my list just hadn’t got to it yet... so much to learn! Regardless, as soon as I am able I will incorporate this practice into a regular routine. Thanks so much!

[@Birddog1227Blogspot]

Very good exercise~ I did it!

[@amberjoubert2189]

Great video! So far when I've fallen off I go limp and land spread eagle on my back. It has helped me so far but I'll definitely practice the roll. Lovely day everyone!

[@equestriandreamer5250]

Thank you this helped a lot

[@phantomglasses]

I was legit waiting for this.

[@vernalin4506]

A good exercise - I'll do a few times every day. Thanks.

[@emily.thatsit7281]

I was thrown off and broke my shoulder a few years ago. Really rocked my confidence. After that my instructor made sure to always teach emergency dismount and how to properly fall. I also do martial arts now so I’ve learned how to fall safely. I think it’s so important to know how to fall

[@neles5077]

I got bucked off yesterday and landed on my shoulder too :/

[@windfall331]

I wish I had learned this 10 years ago. Would have given me more confidence and less fear of falling. Plan to practice tuck and roll on the ground in the field. Cant wait to see how the horses look at me when I do this.

[@nikicaprvanovic4067]

I did it. Looking forward to more excersises

[@bevbobblair9773]

I slid off my first time riding a horse. It was a freak accident after encountering bees! Lucky for me, my foot came out of the stirrup and I only jammed my finger along a sore bum for a short while. Wish I would have watched this before I went riding. Practiced your technique today and going to practice rolling over and over just in case.....Thank you for the time you put into these helpful, wonderful videos.

[@mcmimi7341]

Wish i watched this before my fall earlier this year

[@c.danaevans7061]

EDT, 11:12 am 26 June 2024 Just watched. Will commit to this practice daily. A rider received an important ribbon, but the horse spooked. The rider landed badly. This training is important!

[@ioanavoiculescu3864]

This is good advice and it might help me, the first time I fell off I fell directly on my nose and almost had to get surgery for it but now im fine

[@melaniailiuk779]

Thank you for making this video! Because I will know what to do if I fall off again(I fell of twice)

[@Conny226]

Thank you so much for carrying 👍🏻

[@Meistergreenthumb]

I did not do my practice but I appreciate the education ❤

[@canadiangirl2839]

Well I wish I saw that video earlier today. I started riding in May and fell 2 hours ago during my lesson. My horse spooked another horse and he was spooked from that horse🤦‍♀️. Kinda glad I got up by myself. Gonna be sore tomorrow but nothing broken! And the horse is not injured or scared of me.

[@karimu_aoi7620]

Unfortunately I can't practice this yet as I had my first fall yesterday (still feels weird to say that.. haha). I was bareback for the second time, and my horse, Smoky, trotted a couple steps without my asking him to. It went fine; I slipped a little but stayed on. I figured why not try it again, this time on purpose. Well, he trotted nicely for me, but as it was only my second time bareback, I just simply plopped off the left side. He realized and stopped still, with an air of " Oh.. She's off... Well, guess that means I'm done working!". It was my fault that I fell; simply got too ambitious! But as soon as my body heals I'll definitely be back here to edit this comment with an "I did it!". Thank you

[@bayleeslay]

My dad is planning a horse riding trip and I’m extremely scared of falling. So thank you for this

[@BruceThee]

If you want to become proficient at falling try taking some judo classes. They drill you in front, side and back rolls. I studied judo in the early 1960’s, now I’m in my early 70s and have used the skill in horseback riding and motor cycle racing. The muscle memory is still there.

[@veranikakvitko9632]

If only I knew this before. Fell off a few months ago while jumping, horse refused the jump and I flew off, bringing down the whole jump with me lol. Broke my pinky and scratched myself up pretty bad. Will definitely try this

[@darkfairy6308]

great video i need to practice this because last December i had the worst fall in canter and broken my elbow and wrist and even now on 5 month after that fall i still am recovering from post surgery complications, so i am really afraid now that what if i fall again and broke my bones again so this video helped me relax a bit😅the least i can do is fall safely next time

[@ReiningWithKaylee_Offical]

Thanks this was so helpful as I haven't fallen from a horse just yet so I'm preparing lol

[@JustAWildSkullKid]

I find that curled position to be pretty comfortable and when I fall I usually get to that and I try to stand up as soon as I can. Only one time I literally don't remember what happened, I was trotting and then I fell, put my arms forward and smashed my nose on the ground. It bled but didn't break.

[@bellasue02]

I fell flat on my back and head always hits first. I've never fell before and been riding for years. This will hopefully help if it happens again.

[@gamerplayz4794]

I am strating my first practice.

[@wolfdogmom]

I wish I did know this...I had hard time to back to saddle after horse back riding injury...

[@eucalyptusstudios7782]

One time I was cantering a jump and the horse bolted and bucked after it. He turned sharply and I fell on both of my knees. Luckily I didn’t break anything. After the fall I couldn’t feel my knees for a few minutes. After that it took about 1 1/2 weeks for the swelling to disappear.

[@laurelcook9078]

When I fall I yell for some reason. 😂 I’ve yelled “help!” Like it’s even possible to run over and catch someone falling off.

[@that_hunter_jumper818]

XD I just stayed quiet my first fall a few days ago, but I wasn’t scared. I landed on my side. First my hip hit then my shoulder then my head. I am fine though. The stirrup band popped off and then of course I lost my stirrup when we were cantering, then this was my first fall as mentioned, and I was kind of leaning to be honest, because since I had lost my stirrup and we were on a turn at the canter, and right before I fell I managed to slow down to a fast trot, but I walked away completely fine thankfully, and I got right back on and did some jumping!

[@Equestrianforeverandever]

😂

[@RidingOnTheWrightHoof]

Definitely. I've fallen many-a times. My most recent one was last weekend actually going over a jump. All everyone hopes for is to be able to get up in a few minutes, sans broken bones and no concussion. When it's not on video it's hard to see exactly how everything happened and what you may have fallen on. I've learned to tuck my arms and legs.

[@melissayost4888]

Shanny Shann it all happens in seemingly slow mo. My only thought is Man. This is gonna hurt but it doesn’t. I always lay there & assess for any damage. Then I get back on that horse & tell it what’s what. LOL tho never in a cruel way & not if it’s my fault but I always get back on. Adrenaline is awesome.

[@TimFarrell-bw6ep]

You’re totally right about tucking in your legs too. All these videos talk about tucking your arms in. That’s important. Also it’s about tucking your shoulders in. Very important. But if you don’t tuck you legs in you can tear your adductor muscles. Those are the muscles which keep you in the saddle. It amazes me no one mentions that. So good on you and remember to take the time to heal everything properly so that it’s not a recurring issue.

[@MovesLikeJazz]

I did it! Does this help no matter how you fall off? When you fall do you do it, or when your about to fall? If about to fall, how do you?

[@cxs-yp6oc]

It wasn't so bad. I had a near miss the other week where my horse got spooked by instructors horse that playing up he threw me to the side and it happened in kind of slow motionl and thought in that second should I fall? It seemed.like the easiest option but i held on tight and regathered myself and we continued the lesson. The instructor was impressed how I held on and gathered myself together. I am a beginner afterall. It hasn't put me off riding. But i walked away with one thought would it have been better for the horse if I fell?

[@danw6014]

Coming off a horse. Highly valued knowledge bumps for me. Things can happen through no fault of the rider, (the horse is never to blame). Since I have a ranch saddle with a Cheyenne roll and a night latch I practice grabbing hold of them to help me stay deep seated. Great video.

[@melissayost4888]

I don’t know how I learned this but it came naturally to me. I always done it instinctively. I can’t do it if i consciously try. The same holds true for sliding into bases when playing ball. ??? It just happens. I can’t teach either to anyone or do it unless It’s called for. One thing I learned & don’t know how to teach is know when to bail. Realize ur coming off & for lack of a better word jumping off on your terms. Also making split decisions on the best course of action. Example. A horse refused. I knew I was coming off. I would have hit the standard but jumped off on purpose & rolled. Mind u this was a split second decision. You can’t teach that. Experience? I don’t know. It all came instinctually to me same thing w running the bases and knowing when to go for it, throw & slide. I was a catcher. How did I know what to do? No one taught me. It just happened. Is that a gift?

[@katebrits3461]

I did it❤️❤️

[@jbr5187]

I always put my arms out in front when I fall. I slipped on my stairs yesterday and hurt my arm. This same instinct made me break my arm.

[@Robert.420]

Do you have a video on training a pushy horse

[@bethstaiano387]

I tried the exercise. Not easy! I need to keep practicing.

[@karoliinakaita]

I did it :) .

[@Conny226]

I did my first practice roll I did it was able to stand on my feet after a few rocking exercise and I am 58

[@equine2020]

Only a non rider (jumping) would say prepare. On the flat, falls should be extremely rare. Good riders stay on. Rolling helps but not stop a fall. If you jump, you'll fall. Reason its considered dangerous. By jumping I refer to 3ft & higher. Going cross country. Or a timed course.

[@muhammadanassaqib4891]

I don't no if it will work but I'll try

[@davidwhite8627]

I wondered if you were familiar with aikido training. They train for falls and have specific training tips for students. For more advanced students, there's an aspect of falling they call "flying" -- your whole body is thrown in the air, your feet fly over your head and your body slaps (with some force) down on the mat. Because you've trained and practiced properly your body slamming into the mat is no problem. Subtle adjustments are made in the air and you will fall in such a way as to protect your back and head. I would encourage you to contact an aikido instructor and talk to them about how to fall. (I imagine Judo would have similar techniques, too.)

[@MrRromeoo]

I did it

[@take2ro]

Aikido ukemi (breakfalls) would really help.

[@re-ridersuzanne]

How about side rolls? Had to practice in karate.

[@caflet2009]

the horse I ride tends to spook to the side, so when I come off him it's in a lateral direction and my tendency is to stretch my arms out and land on my stomach, to avoid landing on my shoulder. I haven't been hurt badly, but any advice when being tossed to the side?

[@coffeecat8826]

What if you fall on the side? (That happened a couple times)

[@equestrianxx8387]

ok so i do lessons at this place and my trainer is the best ive ever had but she said shes gonna put me on an 18hh horse judge tmr for my lesson and ive fallen of a 16hh horse and got sent to the hospital im so scared that judge will buck me off or imm fall off and get injured,any tips?

[@pippaking721]

I did it !! 😁😂

[@Lorea464]

How about doing the plank exercise?

[@rossolinger4477]

i do lots of those!

[@rimghallab]

i fell in a sitting postion and it hurt my lower back very bad so please let us know how to avoid falling in this awful position

[@muhammednaushadkv958]

My first fall couple of weeks ago. It happened while the horse stopped canter unexpectedly while he was turning left then he walked straight😂. It was a smooth fall I hit my left hip and slided forward. I got up cool and continued training without any pain. But next day morning I got pain. Worst for 3 days and disappeared completely. Today fell twice same reason. Cantering horse slowed to trot I fell off 🙄 One fall was to the arena country rails, I hold on it and jumped out of horse. Second one fell to forward right. I used forward rolling and felt no impact at all. But the funny thing is , both time, soon after fall I jumped back to 🐴, without any command he started canter 😅 which I never expected. Looks like he took the responsibility and acted kindly 😄 second time after fall I got upset and said stupid.... horse and walked towards him, he was going back looking my angry body language holding stick in hand. But I never use it I always hesitate to stick them. That was actually ones reason he stops canter when he wished. 😅

[@Alisonffxi]

One thing I have noticed about falling off a horse is that it is almost always falling forward over the front of the horse, so rolling works great. I rarely see anyone fall any other direction, though I did once. I was sitting on my horse at a halt and had been chatting with someone who was standing on the ground when my horse spooked sideways. I was all relaxed and wasn't ready for this kinda movement and went right off the side with my foot hanging up in a stirrup just long enough to twist my knee. Ouch...

[@TimFarrell-bw6ep]

And you can fall backwards too. I was once galloping my horse on the beach and he was wearing a halter and he went all crazy turning his head every direction and he undid the knot. When I pulled on the reins to rein him in I got them all in my hand and fell backwards. Needless to say it was a hard landing even on the sand and I whiplashed my leg tearing the adductor and was unable to even walk for weeks. So you can fall in very many ways. Had I, for example, fallen backwards but tucked and rolled I wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Then there are times one stays on too long and that puts one in danger. It seems better to try to save once but if no success then go with the next option of safe falling. It’s a fine art to know when to emergency dismount, when to grab the horse’s neck as you launch forward, when to simply tuck and roll. When to tuck and roll straight forward and when across your back to get an angle (if your horse falls underneath you, you don’t want to be in front of it). When to try to land on your feet. And also when to let go of the reins. That’s a lot for your brain to process in a second or two. Which is why going over these scenarios in your mind can save you and also practicing the different tuck and rolls. Finally it’s very important to make sure you heal 100% from each fall. I didn’t heal my adductor 100% and recently I had a very simple fall where my horse got spooked at the walk and I didn’t think much of falling. And when I stood up I realized I had reactivated that older wound. Sometimes it hurt a bit but I didn’t go to therapy for it or gave it special care. It was a past memory to me but that simple fall which was a nothing has me in crutches and not riding for 2 or 3 weeks. So… heal everything well

[@caterina2290]

I just fell off right on my spine and it’s been a week it still hurts. Hopefully I’m alright but I gotta be careful

[@katherineklevenow1808]

I did it, it's harder than it looks. I hope I don't forget to do it every day

[@natashajosilo4391]

Ok but I was launched off the side, how do you roll sideways? I landed on my hip, then lower back, then head. I was transitioning from trot to canter on a corner, the horse tripped, and I fell off toward outside. Im only bruised and my biggest error was putting my left hand out behind me, the hand is completely bruised.

[@anastasiaderiavova4220]

i fell and was curling in a little ball, but I had herniated disks already in my low back and now I feel pain in my back, probably strain muscles …

[@karenlee8659]

Fallen off twice in 3 months 😳. First horse bolted into a fence, 2nd bucked me off. Damage to rotary cuff, ribs and back. Each time came off side ways, so this roll wouldn't work. Roll away from horse yes

[@muhammadanassaqib4891]

I am doing this for my dad because he fell today and I was really worried and his horse was going mad he was doing gallop so crazily

[@jordanuwu1890]

there's a reason people who do parkour (like jumping from tall buildings onto rooftops etc) roll when they land! It's safe, and it keeps your legs from getting severely injured.

[@esaflaka9155]

I’ve never fallen, in general when i think of falling, I’ve always just let my body loose and roll sideways.. I’ve never tucked to roll cause i just think about that taking my spine outwards and feeling concrete or w.e it may be, felt on each spine bone😬 Which the back is delicate. So i rather roll loose on my arms sideways. Idk🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve felt that to be the least hurting😬

[@nidaanjum3551]

Dont really get it. The exercise is very well explained but WHAT exactly do you mean. When falling should i fall on my back? plus doesn't that increase the risk to my back and what if the horse is in speed do you think the rounding of the back would be possible (to land im such a way)

[@erniebert8436]

You won’t be asked wether you like to fall onto your bum. But if, be prepared and roll into a ball to disperse the falls energy, so the impact won’t break your sacrum or hip

[@taralorraine9814]

I didn't try the roll...got a back injury..will do it when I am better XD

[@sb_idrktbh]

been riding 4 years and never fallen..yet 😂

[@fe-hz4nc]

My 5th fall is I was going on a hack and another horse kicked my horse and it kick Me off

[@Kylethefrog444]

I took a fall yesterday. Twisted my ankle

[@TallGirthyMan]

Horse: *gets scared of something* Me: I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!

[@KS-xb1xr]

My fall is hilarious coz i was not even riding but just walking my horse. Didn't realize i was holding the rein too tight and suddenly my horse took off and i fell direct on my face ahead

[@debjoslyn4969]

My friends say I have the best tuck and roll of a horse that they’ve ever seen. I just someone would of gotten on video. Lol

[@ggymnast3]

What do you do when you fall head first?

[@debjoslyn4969]

Giuliana Mannella I automatically tuck and roll. It's luckily an I stinct. I do have compression fraction in my next from one fall in the beginning.

[@sushilafilmspvtltd4461]

You are very pretty.

[@Equestrianforeverandever]

i haven't ever fallen and below will explain why🤣 i'v been riding for 6 days🤣 how am i allready cantering

[@iceangel1701d]

...there is a spider on the wall behind you...

[@nicolecourt7829]

Where ???

[@that_hunter_jumper818]

There is no wall behind me ;.;

[@iceangel1701d]

...at time marker 5:33...

[@that_hunter_jumper818]

@@iceangel1701d still no wall behind me…XD

[@magnumopus8202]

Learn how to fall first then you can learn to ride