This happens to every rider. The horse rears up, throws you to the ground. It hurts. It's embarrassing. Sometimes it's scary. Why do horses throw off riders? It's not anger. It's communication, fear, or pain. We tell you about the reasons and how to avoid them.

Physical Pain

A saddle that doesn't fit well presses on the withers, rubs the back. The horse tries to get rid of the source of pain. A sharp bit can hurt the corners of the lips. A sudden movement with the rein — the horse tosses its head, rears up. Unclean hooves: a stone causes pain when walking, the horse limps, may fall. Illness (colic, arthritis). The horse panics.

What to do: check the equipment before each ride, clean the hooves regularly, take the horse to a veterinarian.

Fear and Instincts

Horses are prey animals. Their instinct: see danger — run. If a horse is scared (noise, sudden movement, a bag, a flashing shadow), it may pull to the side, rear up, throw off the rider. A rider who is also scared and pulls on the rein only strengthens the fear. The horse thinks: 'There's something scary, and they're holding me — I need to get free.'

What to do: teach the horse to cope with fear (gradual acclimatization). Don't panic yourself.

Improper Handling

The rider beats the horse with spurs (harder than needed). The horse tries to get rid of the pain. Pulling on the rein — the horse raises its head, may rear up. Pulling on one rein — the horse tosses its head. Not feeling the rhythm (jumping out of sync) — the horse stumbles. Sitting down too sharply — it hurts the back.

What to do: learn soft work from a trainer. Don't use spurs until you master the basics.

Unsuitable Horse

A green, unbroken horse (young, untrained) may not understand commands. An experienced horse, but mean (spoiled by previous riders). A horse-machine that has been pushed (tired, hurt, wants rest). A dominant horse (tests who is the leader). If the rider is unsure, it starts to dominate.

What to do: choose a horse that matches your level. Don't buy a 'cool stallion' for a beginner.

External Factors

Loud noise (salute, gunshot, dog barking). An insect (a horsefly bit — the horse flinched). The sudden appearance of another animal (a dog under the feet). Bad weather (thunderstorm, hail). Uneven road (a root, a hole).

What to do: avoid potentially dangerous places. Inspect the arena before sitting down.

How to Reduce Risk

Learn from a good trainer. Don't overestimate your abilities. Regularly check the horse's health. Use quality equipment. Don't take someone else's horse without supervision. Learn to fall (grouping, rolling). And remember: a horse does not seek revenge. It is just scared or in pain.

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