Tucker gave me a big fat reminder that no matter how quiet your horse usually is, no matter how much you play on the ground first, no matter how left brained he appears to be....it only take one split second of prey animal behavior with one big spook to leave you laying on your back looking up at the sky wondering what the heck just happened.

Lance and I wanted to go on a trail ride today so before we headed to the park I wanted to ride Tucker here a little bit to see what he thought of the new bridle (sidepull) and reins I bought.  I also put new stirrups on the saddle and I just wanted a test run before we headed out to the woods.  Because of the new tack I spent lots of  time on the  ground warming up.  We played lots of games, used lots of objects and did lots of trotting so I could check out his mental state.  All was well so I decided to mount up.

I eased off the mounting block onto his back and before I had picked up the stirrups and settled into my seat the neighbor pulled into the drive sending Tucker in a spook the went sideways half across the ring.  I was off balance and off guard and there was no way I could stay on.  My tailbone, butt and wrist are all screaming at me.

I'm really freaked about the fall this morning because after I came off I was hurting so bad there was no way I could get back on.  I crawled to the house and asked Lance to take Tucker's tack off and put him up.  The reason I am concerned is because I have always heard you should never end a ride with a fall.  You should always get right back on the horse so it does not learn that is how to get you off them.  I am also concerned about the poor note we ended the session on.  I always try to leave things positive.  I'm so worried I have taught my horse some bad things with this fall, but I am just not sure how I could have handled the situation differently.

Falls Suck!!!!!!!