Horse Love and Falls
Published by GHC • Nov 9th, 2007 • Category: Junior Blogger Archives, Riding Adviceby horsejo, age 11
Let’s picture this: You are doing great in a lesson or a show. You are jumping well and you are going at the perfect speed. Finally you are at the last jump. It is the highest jump so far. You get ready to jump and your horse refuses. You bump on the horses saddle and go flying to the ground. Whatever happens, don’t get angry at your horse.
Sometimes, when you are walking you will trip or fall or do something wrong. Horses are just the same. So why blame them when they stumble or stop? It’s not their fault at all. They are just nervous. Your horse may have been nervous at the size of the last jump. Wouldn’t you be nervous if YOU had to jump something higher than you had ever jumped before in front of all of those people? You would probably be horrified!
If you fall off, you should still love your horse with all your heart. I have fallen off three times, and I am going to tell you about one of the times I fell off a horse. Her name was Duchess, and she was a very green horse (a green horse is a horse that’s not completely trained).
At the lesson, my teacher asked my if I would like to be the first kid to ride Duchess, a four year old mare. She had been ridden by adults all her life. Now it was my turn. Our lesson was great! We only trotted a bit and went over some poles on the ground. At the end of the lesson I was climbing down. I was on my stomach and my feet were out of the stirrups, Duchess began to walk, then she began to trot. She sped up, going into a canter and a gallop. I fell. I was flung into the fence of the riding arena, nearly breaking my arm.
The next week during my lesson, I took Duchess on a stroll around the arena. Although she had hurt me, I still loved her very much. It wasn’t her fault that she spooked. I must have done something wrong.
So no matter if you fall, and no matter how much you hurt yourself, remember to still love that horse with all your heart.
Please share your falling tales in the comments.
RATE THIS: [ratings]
Well, I have fallen off 2 times during my 1 1/2 years of riding. The first time, Im was on Coco, a bay mare, we were headed toward a small x jump, and, well, right in front of the fence, I got in my 2-point postition, and WHAM, she suddenly flies sidways and I fall off, but, somehow, I land on my feet! I still love her loads, as I know she is one of the easiest horses to spook at my stables. And then, i was at horse camp, we were bareback riding, and my horse Quincy, started cantering and I flipped over his head. Luckily, he didn’t run over me . Instead, he came over and looked at my dirt-covered face. And his innocent eyes seemed to say ‘Did I do somethinng wrong?!?!?!’ He was so cute, and I still love him loads.
The first time I fell of a horse was when I was starting barrel-racing. The first barrel came up and I leaned the wrong way and went toppling off. I was OK, but my horse, Buck cut his shoulder. :(
I love it Horsejo! I’d never hate a horse in my entire life, nor do I think I’d ever bring myself to doing so.
Though I’ve never fallen before, there was a time when I was trail riding with a friend. And with the cause still being predicted, my friend over-balanced and tumbled off. By the looks of it it seemed that my friend was trying to drive the horse right, which resulted in her leaning that way. But I’m glad to say, nothing more than a sore arm.
Fantastic blog Horsejo, keep up the great work!
Love the photo. :) :D
You fell of three times? Ouch! Fortunatly, I have never fallen off before. I can’t imagaine how painful it was to be dragged on the ground with a horse running at full gallop! :-O
Good blog Horsejo! Absolutly amazing!
Fantastic blog horsejo!! It’s really good!! You know what they say, “If you haven’t fallen off a horse, then you haven’t been riding long.” :) :D
Really great blog, horsejo!
I’ve fallen off alot. My first sall was off of Zip. I was cantering him and I got the wrong lead. He went to do a flying lead change to help me but I wasn’t prepared for the motion so I lost my balance momentarily. DUring this brief moment he flew into a full blown gallop in a smal indoor arena and stopped just short of a jump that was blocking the entrance to the barn. I flew overhis head and knocked over the poll. I was bracing myself for it to fall on me but it fell right behind me. The first fall always hurts the most. But I gave Zip a pat and hopped back on. No matter what, I never actually get angry at a horse. But that’s what it means to be a horselover, right?
Thank you everyone. You are all so nice.
Guess what? Last week I fell off again! I was riding a horse named Jazz. I was cantering over a jump then he started bucking. I just fell off. It was kinda funny: I landed on my head and did a backwards flip. Thanks to my helmet, I was fine.
Ps: After I fell off, my teacher told me that the green, four-year old horse, Duchess, the second horse I fell off of had passed on. :(
Maybe I might make a blog on the passing on of Duchess.
LeadMare, is that idea too much like the idea of Horsecrazzz’s Fella? Because Duchess was poisoned to death. It is a completly different story.
horsejo, I don’t know if it’s too much like other blogs until I see it. Sounds like it could also be a non-fiction story for the LBC.
I did a quick paragraph and sent it in for the loft book club. I will make one on the full story. Most likely.
Oh, thats so sad. :(( I’m so sorry horsejo. I know how you feel. A few weeks ago my sister’s mare died. Belle was great, and my sister is still sad. :(
I am Too.
Thanks Jenna ;) Im so upset :( :((
Would you accept a hug Horsejo? {:D} It must have been horrible for you! I’m so sorry it happened, but I wish Duchess to rest in peace.
I live on a big ranch, and every now and again a horse dies. There are always horses coming and going, being born and dying. It is always sad when a horse dies, but you learn it’s part of the living cycle. But every now and again there’s a horse that leaves its mark on you. Like Duchess, or Belle, or my Buck. It’s always hard to say goodbye, but now they will be in a place better than anything anyone on earth can imagine. I’m so sorry you lost Duchess, horsejo, but remember, she has wings now. O:-)
Ooooh, (Sorry as this is so off subject an all..) Horsejo, I feel really bad for ya…Really bad..
This is a great blog though, and I can put parts of it in real life aswell, which helps somehow :)
horsejo, guess what?! my Dad just fell of a pinto he’s been trying to train! :))
Madilaina: Thank you for the hug. I fell a bit better. Duchess will always have a place in my heart.
Jeanna: Thank you. I will try to remember that when I feel sad.
Animalsrkool: Thanks for helping me to feel better. Thanks for reading and enjoying my blog.
Once again, Jeanna: Oh, cool. How timely! I hope your dad is ok …
he is :D tough cowboy type…
That is good. :)