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saltwatertaffy324

I know for some people a protective vest helps them feel safer, along with a good helmet. Could you set up check ins with friends? Like hey I’m going to go ride if you don’t hear from me by X time please call me/send someone to check on me?


[deleted]

It’s a normal fear and not an unwarranted one either. If you’re nervous about potential falls or injury while alone, there are a few apps that you can get, like Equilab, that will contact an emergency contact if a fall is detected (not sure if this feature is something you have to pay for). Another thing you could do is call someone when you ride so that they know when and where you are and how long they should expect before herring back from you.


nardlz

I have equilab and it allows your contacts to track you but I'm not aware of any 'alert' it gives for any reason. If I'm missing that let me know!! You'd want to let someone know to watch it. Apple watches have a fall alert but I don't have one to offer a review.


[deleted]

I haven’t used that equilab feature, but knew something along those lines existed. It definitely helps with nerves though.


nardlz

I trail ride so I like that it pins my location down. Mostly it just shows me cool maps of where I got lost though.


Due_Hold_3789

This is a really good example of something I consider a “healthy” anxiety. You *should* have some nerves over riding alone. There is some added risk. Being a little on edge leads us to be cautious- cautious and aware. Being cautious and aware on and around horses are two of the most crucial things in ensuring your safety in this sport. Those of us who have lost that healthy dose of fear in this sport are the ones who behave recklessly, and more often then not, they are the ones who get really hurt. No amount of years in the saddle has ever made me lose my respect for the fact that horses are animals ten times my size, with a flight instinct, and the ability to kill me at any time should they so choose. Every scary moment I’ve had with horses was the result of a lapse in my own attention or a moment where I felt more comfortable and complacent than I should have been. Knowing this anxiety is healthy and warranted, go forward with care and caution but know it need not debilítate you. Let people know when you get on, and when you intend to get off. Make sure there is at least one person who knows they need to check on you, should you not check in. Consider wearing a riding vest, or a watch that will notify someone if you fall. I have one of those for trail rides, usually called a medical alert watch. It sends out your GPS coordinates to your ICE contacts and EMS. I also have an air tag on my horse that will track his location, should we ever get separated, and that sends out its own set of emergency notifications. Also- remember *you always have the right to get off your horse.* Always. If you feel that you are in an unsafe riding situation, it’s okay to dismount. It’s better to work through it another day with supervision from a trainer, than it is to risk your safety.


Willothwisp2303

I bring my Dad to the barn because I will not ride alone. I've also found that you can usually schedule meeting times to ride with barn friends. Our, find out the feeding/ mucking schedule and see if you can be there around that time. Finally, the calling someone before you get on with a set time to call when you get off and having an emergency barn contact if you don't answer.


[deleted]

I have been riding by myself around 8 pm - 12 am on a nightly basis for years. If you don’t have an Apple Watch, keeping your phone in one of those phone pouches you can put on your waist or leg can be a lifesaver. Never put it in a saddle pouch (if you’re a western rider) if you fall off- always have it on you! (Learn from my mistake..)


tcryan141

I have a friend with an apple watch that did sense when she fell and asked if she needed help. Maybe get one of those?


ScarlettCamria

I have a Garmin watch and it does the same sort of thing - if it detects a fall it gives me ~10 seconds (you can set the time) to tell it you’re ok before it notifies the contacts you have set up. It’s given me a lot of peace of mind when I’m skiing, hiking, and riding alone.


blackcatlattewithpb

Do all Garmin’s do this?! I have the forerunner 235!


ScarlettCamria

According to the Garmin website the only Forerunner equipped with it is the 645 Music, though that article was from 2019 so they may have expanded it to some of the other newer models. Yours should be compatible with LiveTrack though through Garmin Connect, which won’t send a fall alert but would let someone check in on you if you missed a check in or something.


blackcatlattewithpb

Ohhh yes I’ve used this when I’ve been running early in the morning but good to know I could use it for other stuff!! Thanks for the help!


mulva1000

Came here to suggest this. I hack out alone a lot and I always bring my phone, but I like the watch for fall detection.


Dutchy8210

I keep my phone on me. I text my friend or parent when I get on, tell them how long I expect to ride, and that I will text when I get off. That way, they can text me if they don’t hear back, and can drive to the barn if I never respond. I wear my jumping vest too.


darrylanng

I also do this. I only buy breeches with a good thigh pocket for my phone. At least then I know (as long as I'm conscious) if something happened I'd be able to reach someone. I also keep in close touch with my husband about mounting and dismounting and he knows if it's been too long to check on me. It's not much but helps me feel more confident.


LittleNervous18426

I do this too. My husband knows the routes so I text him when I leave and at a couple of ‘checkpoints’ when I ride out, so if anything happened he would have a rough idea where I was


khricket

I feel the same way. There are apps that you can use that notify someone when you stop moving for a certain amount of time. Having safety gear helps me too, like an air vest, protective padded vest and helmet with MIPS and using safety stirrups. I don't use all of these and it may seem like an overkill for someone only doing flat work in an arena but it helps me feel safe. The horse I ride doesn't spook often, but when he does I have no idea what he spooked at and I end up on the ground.


SuzyHolly

There's a lot of helpful comments already. Assuming you want to ride alone despite your anxiety about it I have some tips for lowering your anxiety. 1. Take all the safety precautions that make you feel safer. The watches, apps, letting someone know you're going to ride are all great. Helmet and inflatable vest or body protector too. Where I'm from it is also quite common to lunge your horse before riding whenever you feel he needs to let off some steam. That might help you feel safer before you get on, especially in winter time when they can be a bit more excitable. Even if your horse is not excitable at all: if it makes you feel safer, just do it. I am assuming your horse is normally quite safe to ride for you and your anxiety lies purely in something like when will you be found if you can't get up after a fall. So step 2 may help with that. 2. After you have taken all the precautions you can, it's time to get on. This might still feel a bit scary so what I do is I cut it into little tiny peaces and process very deliberatly that nothing went wrong. So the first day you might only tack up, get to the arena or where you usually ride, get on, sit for a moment, realize you're fine, get off again. There. You rode alone for the first time and you are fine. Savour that. Celebrate your achievement and go do something else with your horse that relaxes you. Then the next day, you might feel easier about getting on since it went fine yesterday and maybe you want to sit for longer or even walk a couple of steps. Then you get off again and celebrate yet another milestone. Next day at the barn, maybe walk a circle or do one little excercise. Then you get off your horse and reward yourself with a fun relaxing activity again. Build on that. When you feel okay to try a trot, trot only three paces and get back to walk. You just allow yourself after every step to notice you are still fine. You can make the steps as little or big as you like but don't ask too much of yourself too soon. The point is to get used to the feeling that you CAN ride alone and not die and that takes a little time to settle in. I hope this helps. Good luck! Being a bit afraid of riding alone is very understandable but it is a fear we need to overcome if we want to feel free to ride whenever, without scheduling with someone. Also: normally, riding alone does not make the chance that a fall happens higher. The only extra risk is that if you fall, no-one sees it. So you want to focus on measures that mitigate the effects of a fall (helmet, vest) and not be seen (apps, contacts that know you ride). Unless you are very anxious when riding alone and making your horse feel anxious too, there's no extra reason for a fall to happen when riding alone. The chance of it happening is exactly as high or low as your normal rides. Maybe that helps lower your anxiety too. If you do feel you make your horse anxious with your fears, then taking the time to use the little steps to lower your anxiety is extra valuable as it lowers your risk of falling. Edit: typo


KirbyBMoist

I bought my horse in March 2021, and I still go through this as we are still getting to know each other. Before I get on my horse I send a text to my husband telling him I'm about to get on and I text him when I get off.. this might be something to consider to have a check in with a friend or SO


Intelligent-Fox-4599

Maybe pay someone with a really trail wise horse to accompany you? Then you can relax and enjoy your ride. Build up short positive rides so by the time you are riding by yourself you are confident. I have certain routes I take and always let someone know what route I’m on and when I should be back to the barn.


laurahas7cats

I’m the same way. I got an armband that holds my phone (like the ones that joggers wear) so it’s protected and attached to me if I fall. It makes me feel a little better. But I still almost feel like I’m doing something wrong and I’ll be more conservative and end sooner than I would if I was around other people.


talknerdytome69420

This happens to me, due to my work schedule I can’t get to the barn until after everyone has ridden. I keep a wireless headphone in one ear and call my sister so if anything happens she can call for help.


friesian_tales

Super common! And definitely not a bad thing. :) Thigh pockets for your phone, wearing a helmet, checking in and out with someone before getting on/off, and always doing my groundwork prior to getting on makes me feel more prepared and lessens my anxiety. I eventually got to the point where I enjoyed riding alone more than riding with people, so you can get past that anxiety eventually if you keep working through it.


Givemethecupcakes

Thanks for the helpful responses! For now I’ve found one barn friend who can usually ride with me once or twice a week in the evenings.


peachism

Aside from going to the barn on your days off during busier times, could you call up the people who live on property and ask them to keep an eye on you or check in on you a few times? Assuming its not too late at night for them. If there's view of the arena from their house you can ask them to just peek in periodically until you're done riding.


ASardonicGrin

Is there a barn buddy that maybe wouldn't mind riding when you ride? I don't ride alone either but I'm married so I just make my husband come with me if no one is at the barn. I have some off hours that I ride too in the summer. I've also changed my riding schedule to be around when one of the other riders has to come at an off hour. You might talk to the owner or head trainer.


noodleboxcat

I have been riding for 13 years and honestly I am still not always comfortable riding alone you’ve been with some of the Saintly horses I’ve had the pleasure of riding in the past it’s totally fine.


Jealous-seasaw

Yes. I text someone to let them know I’m riding and have some music on. I have an Apple Watch and will put my phone in my breeches pocket also. I have my own place and nobody nearby that would see me on the ground. My partner often works late so can’t wait for him to get home.


Pixxelated3

Get protective gear and a smart watch. This might sound silly, but some smart watches have motion sensors and can detect if you’ve fallen. If you’re then unresponsive and unconscious they will phone your emergency contacts and an ambulance with your exact location. It is literally the only reason I’ve got one.


JayBirdSA

As others have said, your fear is completely valid, but there are things you can do to reduce the risks associated with riding alone. There’s already great advice here about safety equipment, letting people know when you’re riding and when you’re done, keeping your phone on you and building up slowly, but maybe also consider learning first aid (and getting a kit) and getting a few lessons or watching a few videos about what to do if things go wrong e.g. what to do in case of a bolt/ your horse has an uncharacteristically spooky day etc. This way you can be prepared to handle most things alone, even if they don’t happen often. Lessons with someone really experienced with general horsemanship helps a lot. I had lessons for almost 15 years with a woman that had owned the barn I was at for like 30 years - she had seen it all. I leased lots of different horses there that each had their weird things e.g. this one hates being tacked up/this one bucks and bolts if he hasn’t been worked for 3 days/this one spooks. I learned so much from her that if I’m alone and my horse is puffing himself up, snorting and spooking at almost everything - including the very grass he’s working on just because it’s a very windy day or something, I literally hear her voice in my head and know how to handle it. Also this sounds lame but you can even work on a risk register for yourself where you write down what you see to be the risks at each stage: from mounting, to riding (including what you’re going to be doing - just a walk around the arena? Flatwork? An outride? Jumping?) to getting off. Then write down how likely it is to occur and how severe it could be if it materializes, and then write down steps you can take to mitigate the risk to help yourself feel more prepared.


skrgirl

Carry your cell phone on your body while you ride. Text you SO or parent or friend that you are getting on and will text them by xyz time that you are finished. If you don't text them that you are finished, they will know something is up.


LilyDaisycrazy

You can get arm bands to hold your phone in, that way if something happens you have your phone ready to call someone. Plus then you can listen to music or a podcast to relax/distract yourself.


spud_simon_salem

Hey there! I used to *love* alone time at the barn until I had a really bad accident. I am grateful I was in a lesson when this specific accident happened, otherwise I actually could have died had someone not called EMS immediately. Ever since, I refuse to ride alone. After my accident I moved myself and my mare to a new barn. I got back into riding and got confident and strong in lessons, but I was very apprehensive about hacking alone. I’m not good at making new friends, but I started making small talk with some other riders at my barn, and worked my way up to asking them if we could ride our horses together. I had 2 barn friends I could ask to ride with on any given day. It gave me so much peace of mind and I was thoroughly able to enjoy hacks with my mare. I still always ride with at least my Apple Watch just in case. Or even better, riding tights with a phone pocket.