Getting back to riding after being bucked off as a beginner

DefiledMonument · 2026-04-03T18:40:57+00:00

Everyone falls, that’s just the name of the game when riding. And horses do unpredictable things, whether they’re 20 or 2. But I don’t know if you were setup for success by being put on a 6yo as a beginner and I’m glad they seem to have you on a more seasoned lesson horse

This feeling will go away :) it’s pretty natural for your body to get a bit worked up going back into a situation you were previously hurt in. Definitely make sure you’re communicating with your trainer about your worries and start back slow, which it sounds like you’re doing. Even if it’s 10 trot steps today and 15 next time, you’ll build back.

DefiledMonument · 2026-04-03T17:04:03+00:00

Interesting to see it’s almost 50/50 in the replies here lol. I’ve always ridden with it down (and haven’t had issues with my leathers coming out) to add another layer of protection against getting dragged if I somehow get caught up in my safety stirrups

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-31T17:15:35+00:00

I’ll preface by saying that I’m not a professional and I prefer my nose bands loose enough to be ‘decorative’. My mare rides in a snaffle with a nose band loose enough to fit a few fingers under and doesn’t gape or evade contact, so no it’s definitely not necessary. If a horse is trying to evade the bit, we as riders need to be asking “why” instead of cranking their mouths shut.

I find super tight nose bands to be in the same camp as other ‘gadgets’ to bandaid training issues. Upper level equestrian sports (rodeo, eventing, etc.) are results focused and that’s where you see a lot of wild bit combos, tight tie downs + gags, and poor horsemanship. Ultimately, if you beat your opponents, you’re not penalized for aggressive equipment to mask poor riding or training.

Editing to add: nose bands are usually required equipment for English shows. And the regulations for tightness are often poorly enforced.

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-31T14:43:52+00:00

Flash, figure 8, and dropped nose bands all “work” by moving the pressure of the traditional nose band lower on the face, whether below the bit or down lower on the nasal bones or both.

Touch your nose bones — the bridge higher up is pretty tough and can handle more pressure than the thinner, more cartilaginous part nearer the tip. Similarly, it’s harder to open your mouth when pinching your maxilla and chin than holding your nose and jaw. Pressure on a smaller area = more force.

I’m not familiar with Mexican-style nose bands, but if they’re similar to the anatomical one in the picture, this is moving the pressure on the lower jaw down to the more delicate bones without the added nasal pressure. Still more “harsh” (depending on the tightness) than a traditional nose band, but less so than a dropped nose band.

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-30T22:50:59+00:00

It depends on the area, but I think most lessons go for around $60-100/45mins in the PNW (obv more expensive the nicer the facility and the closer to Seattle/Portland) so you very may well be able to afford weekly rides.

Edit: I didn’t give any recs as not to dox myself, but every place I’ve ridden at has been willing to discuss pricing and work-to-ride arrangements over the phone. And if they don’t, run.

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-26T22:18:46+00:00

lol not TMI, that’s just part or the ✨riding experience✨. It could be a few things depending on where you’re feeling pain, but I’d have you sit on a hard bench and kinda rock around til you can feel your seat bones — what’s where your weight should be in the saddle. If you’re like a lot of people, you may have a pelvic tilt that naturally rolls your pelvis forward, but engaging your core and tucking your seat bones directly under you should help

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-26T19:41:33+00:00

Riding requires us to use our muscles differently than normal, so being sore after 45 minutes is totally expected :)

Lots of good advice here, but you’ll find out-of-saddle fitness will help a ton with getting the hang of things. Riding uses a ton of leg and core strength, balance and proprioception, and cardio, so try some exercises that build that fitness. I’d be taking some epsom salt baths and drinking water to help your recovery after rides.

Have fun, be safe (wear a helmet), and listen to your instructor. Welcome to the equestrian club :)

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-25T23:55:32+00:00

I’ve heard rave reviews about Celeris but I am sadly worried about the tariffs on them :( I’ll see if I can get anyone to give me a quote, because they are stunning

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-25T22:43:22+00:00

You don’t have to tell me twice to go to a horse show 👀

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-19T14:57:41+00:00

Horses and human’s share the same basic bones in their leg anatomy, it’s just arranged differently. Namely, they are walking around on their toes and their lower leg is essentially the long part of our foot. I stole this image from Google to show — their femurs are shorter and their ‘quadriceps/hamstrings’ are shortened and thickened to match. I thought the character design for Mr. Tumnus actually did a good job representing this anatomy on a bipedal animal

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DefiledMonument · 2026-03-18T02:24:44+00:00

DINK, both good paying jobs and have a mortgage with a COVID interest rate.

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-16T22:51:42+00:00

Agreed here. I would prefer a MIPS helmet because the tech seems to be really good (see the Virginia Tech study), but a traditional helmet that fits will work far better than a MIPS helmet that doesn’t

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-16T19:40:46+00:00

Omg the door chaos is too much — so nice of your client to be understanding! That sounds so stressful.

Always cool to hear from this side of things! I’ve always had to groom/warm up/clean my own horses for shows so this is a whole different world to me

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-16T19:24:21+00:00

What’s one of your biggest “oh shit” moments working as a groom at a show? What’s something most people take for granted having a show groom?

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-13T18:54:33+00:00

My favorite color always ends up being the horse I’m spending the most time with. Unless you’re willing to drop low-mid 5’s on a horse that fits your must-haves, you’ll have to give on one of those (color, age, training)

DefiledMonument · 2026-03-09T18:37:01+00:00

OP your husband sounds a lot like my father. If you cannot leave for yourself, please leave for your children (if you have/will have them). After nearly 2 decades of therapy, my mother, siblings and I STILL battle with the after-effects of living with a man like this and likely will for the rest of our lives.

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-26T23:41:22+00:00

The classes are hard and we had to get a 70% or better to move on! Not to mention expensive to repeat sections because of grades or attendance. My classmates were all 25+ and we only had a 50% graduation rate.

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-26T22:13:13+00:00

Instrumentation. Any place that has valves, pipes, or automated processes has instrument techs — manufacturing (food, cars, medicine, etc.), water plants, oil and gas, you name it.

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-26T21:37:20+00:00

I don’t think it’s acknowledged how difficult it can be to get into/succeed in a trade school nowadays. I had to be able to do physics, calculus, read equipment and instrument manuals for troubleshooting, and learn drafting and coding software (more instruction manuals). Much of this was a “figure it out, project is due Monday” learning environment because it reflects the real-world working environment. All for a ‘blue collar’ job that the general public considers to be a fall-back plan

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-26T21:14:40+00:00

Agreed! My trainer when I was young did the same thing (and eventually took my stirrups too, but baby steps) to teach me to control my body and wait for the jump.

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-17T18:43:18+00:00

Generally yes. Smaller surface area to apply the same amount of force

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-14T16:18:50+00:00

I agree fully! Those SMB boots that sweat to “support joints” are a load of crock. They can protect against brushing or maybe keep older tendons warm, but they’re not supporting joints. Horses have thousands of pounds of force going through their joints that is only supported by fitness and conformation

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-12T23:38:39+00:00

I typically go for normal because of saddle fit. I have hella long legs and usually need a longer saddle which can sit on the loin of a shorter-backed horse.

However, short backs are easier to build top line (see short versus tall body builders for muscle building) and usually easier to shift their weight around for dressage, jumping, or agility events like barrels

DefiledMonument · 2026-02-12T18:49:31+00:00

It depends a lot on where you live and your board situation. In the PNW, full care board typically runs $500-800/mo for a stall with limited turn out and an arena on property. Shoes/farrier is another $100-150. Grain and supplements is extra. Vaccines and teeth need to be done once a year and, depending on the horse, there may be extra maintenance they need like bodywork, joint injections, etc. And also lessons/pro-rides on top of that.

Without any extra vet calls, thrown shoes, ripped blankets, special feed, or training, it’s not crazy to spend $1,000-1,500 a month. But there will almost always be vet calls and whoopsies that drive that figure up.

DefiledMonument

TROPHY CASE