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As a riding instructor I have seen my fair share of falls. Luckily 90% of falls are minor ad just bruise the ego. However a serious fall can dent even the most experienced riders nerve.

We've all heard the saying, "Get straight back on," and it's true. The faster you get on your horse after a fall the better. When I'm teaching I always tell the children hat they have to fall off around seven times before they are good riders. Strangely this cheers them up and they actually keep score, getting excited when they reach seven.

If you do have a serious fall and can't ride for a while there are a few things that you can do to keep your nerve.

1. Still have contact with horses. Even if you can't ride at the moment just spending time with them will reassure you that horses are not vindictive and the accident was just that, an accident.

2. When you are fit to ride again choose a trustworthy horse and go out with a friend. Take it easy, your muscles will need building up again.
If you are like me you won't relax until you've had your first canter, so pick a good spot, preferably up hill. Have a short gentle canter. You'll soon remember the thrill of riding and how much you love it.

3. If you have lost your nerve don't despair. I've taught plenty of people who felt that way. Find an instructor who you trust and go and have some lessons in a safe environment. Don't be afraid to tell the instructor what happened to you, they will be able to work out a program to gently increase your confidence.

We all have falls every now and then, the main point to remember is to always ride as safely as possible. Always wear a hat and a body protector and tell someone where you are riding if you are hacking out. Make sure that you carry a mobile phone just in case of emergencies and have fun(safe fun!).

Learn more about this author, Jo.H.
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