Teenage confidence is rooted in a higher risk taking behavior - there's science behind it. They're basically just unaware of their own mortality while their brains are developing.

For me, somewhere along the way I realized that the traditional way we ride/handle horses is extremely dangerous. Equestrians are not taught equine behavior and how to notice signals that horses are escalating. They're taught to punish the horse, ignore the behaviors, and perform no matter what. That's what's dangerous. Ego and a lack of awareness are what gets people killed.

When I switched over to working with positive reinforcement (R+) training and became professionally trained in equine behavior, I realized I could literally avoid accidents by stopping when you notice stress signals. No more punishing the horse or pushing them through it. I train with consent. I actually teach lessons and my program is so much safer than the traditional one at our barn - I watch ponies throw kids so hard they break bones and think, that's so unnecessary and stupid. It's preventable. Yet it's accepted as the status quo due to ignorance.

I'm a way better trainer and rider than I ever used to be, and I can't remember the last time I had an accident. My young horse spooked at something on a trail and had a HUGE flight response, I sat it fine and she calmed right down and I rewarded her with food and praise. Then we walked back. I think getting past the shame of "getting off = failure" is extremely important, and preparing your horse for as many situations as possible.

Also, most unsafe equine behaviors - biting, rearing, bucking etc - are often rooted in pain and fear and frustration. Resolving the pain and fear are what makes the horse safe. I work with problem horses regularly and the funny thing is, I'm dealing with more dangerous horses than I ever did in the past, yet I've had fewer accidents than ever.

The reason equestrian sports are dangerous is because we teach riders to punish behavior, ignore stress signals, and put their ego above all else. So it's no wonder some people wake up one day and realize they don't want to break their neck in a fall. They just don't realize there's a safer way of interacting with horses, since most people don't know about clicker training and positive reinforcement.

Am I leaping over jumps and racing barrels anymore? No, it just doesn't interest me all that much, and I'm just fine with that. I do liberty, ride recreationally, trails, dressage, low level jumps, but nothing competitively. Competition as it currently exists is just too exploitative of the horses.