fjeanguillaume
26th February 2010, 05:13 PM
Rotational falls are a big issue. With the number of riders death in the past few years, what can we do to mawimise safety? I believe that on of the ways to achieve this is for riders to take part in "fall trainig", something which I have specialised in as a stunt rider.
Here's a quick overview.
Preparation: mental & physical.
Mental preparation: you must not be afraid to fall. The way to teach people is not to emphasise fall-related serious injuries. That’s negative not positive. We all know the worst that can happen. Educate them in how personal fitness, mental & physical relaxation and technique will minimise the potential for injury. This encourages a positive mental attitude and promotes confidence, both of which are required for safe falls.
Physical preparation: riders know about the benefits of fitness and the importance of warming-up, but most rarely do enough. Athletic people will have greater suppleness and faster response times, and will have far more awareness and control of their body. Physical preparation includes being taught how to fall (see training).
Response: Fear causes tension, and tension increases the risk of injury. Tense people do not move or respond well. Relaxing and allowing the fall to happen frees the rider to control the body. A good method for teaching control of the body whilst in the air is the trampoline. Tucking for ground contact can be taught using gymnastic exercises. Riders need to learn to let the horse go when falling and to understand the importance of not only rolling after the tuck to disperse force but to use it to clear the horse (see training).
Protection: Personally, I will not do a fall in a BHS body protector. Nor, to my knowledge, will anybody else in my industry. There is no way these body protectors were designed by people who know what it’s like to fall! This is an area which seriously needs to be addressed. Definitely time for a review on design. I wear a motorcross body protector.
Fall Training: I was fortunate enough to be trained using a high wire for practise (I still hit the ground but with less impact). There are different techniques to different falls, but the most important factor in them all is relaxation. Like the drunk who doesn’t injure himself falling over, relaxation makes you softer, suppler, instinctive. Left/right brain orientation etc.
Some of the following might be useful to you:
I learnt to tuck in my head, tuck my body into a fold, and - depending on the fall - either: hit the ground with the back of my shoulder and into a sideways roll to clear (lateral fall); hit the ground with the back of both shoulders (back fall); hit the ground on the top of my back straight into a roll - for this, the forward fall, it is imperative to tuck in for a half somersault otherwise you will land flat on your back or front; the chute arriere (back somersault off rear of horse) requires landing on knees (using lower body protection) and allowing the impulsion to send you into a forward roll on the ground.
Besides relaxation, it is vital to really be able to control your body because you have to hit the ground with the right part of your body, you have be able to continue the movement and to stop it.
There are two methods to fall with a (trained) falling horse: the horse will either (a) fall on its side or (b) fall forwards onto its shoulder (its pretty much up to the horse, how its been trained and how it behaves on the day). For horse falls I have the toe in the stirrup - that’s toe, not right up to the ball of the feet, important for immediate release. Falling involves the exact same manoeuvre as lying a horse down at a standstill: left leg forward and up to keep it from being caught under the horse, letting the horses impulsion throw you clear into a roll. It depends, sometimes it involves having the right stirrup shorter for kick-off (most horses are trained to fall to the left as it’s more natural) or no stirrups.
Speed of the horse is important. A fast horse helps you clear (meaning projection: like skimming a stone across a pond) and the horse gets away - and that’s the safest thing I need. A slow horse or one that stops when you fall off puts you in danger of not clearing and risks you getting caught under the horse.
Falling at speed is safer!
It is paramount to get clear from the horse. This is where a riders “stick-ability” can put them in danger. The riders instinct is to stick in the saddle and with the horse at all costs as that’s where they feel it is safest (preferably keeping hold of the reins so the horse doesn’t run off). Highly dangerous. This is an area in which I feel people need to be re-educated. It is safer to hit the ground solo than to come down with/under the horse. If the horse is in serious trouble and in danger of falling, then the rider must instinctively get ready to let go, clear and roll safely away. Learn it, make it a habit, and it will become instinct.
I have had accidents where the horse I’m riding has fallen unexpectedly. My training is now my instinct - to free the leg on the side the horse is falling and to use the horses impulsion to help eject myself as far as I can, then to land in a tuck and roll. I have also had a frontal rotational fall where I cleared out forwards and, out of habit, sideways. In that particular situation it is like Russian roulette as it is unpredictable where the horse is going to come down.
When learning a new technique I will do the movements first on the ground, then on a horse at a standstill, then at a walk, fast canter, finally a gallop - for all falls and horse falls.
I hope some of the above may help.
Here's a quick overview.
Preparation: mental & physical.
Mental preparation: you must not be afraid to fall. The way to teach people is not to emphasise fall-related serious injuries. That’s negative not positive. We all know the worst that can happen. Educate them in how personal fitness, mental & physical relaxation and technique will minimise the potential for injury. This encourages a positive mental attitude and promotes confidence, both of which are required for safe falls.
Physical preparation: riders know about the benefits of fitness and the importance of warming-up, but most rarely do enough. Athletic people will have greater suppleness and faster response times, and will have far more awareness and control of their body. Physical preparation includes being taught how to fall (see training).
Response: Fear causes tension, and tension increases the risk of injury. Tense people do not move or respond well. Relaxing and allowing the fall to happen frees the rider to control the body. A good method for teaching control of the body whilst in the air is the trampoline. Tucking for ground contact can be taught using gymnastic exercises. Riders need to learn to let the horse go when falling and to understand the importance of not only rolling after the tuck to disperse force but to use it to clear the horse (see training).
Protection: Personally, I will not do a fall in a BHS body protector. Nor, to my knowledge, will anybody else in my industry. There is no way these body protectors were designed by people who know what it’s like to fall! This is an area which seriously needs to be addressed. Definitely time for a review on design. I wear a motorcross body protector.
Fall Training: I was fortunate enough to be trained using a high wire for practise (I still hit the ground but with less impact). There are different techniques to different falls, but the most important factor in them all is relaxation. Like the drunk who doesn’t injure himself falling over, relaxation makes you softer, suppler, instinctive. Left/right brain orientation etc.
Some of the following might be useful to you:
I learnt to tuck in my head, tuck my body into a fold, and - depending on the fall - either: hit the ground with the back of my shoulder and into a sideways roll to clear (lateral fall); hit the ground with the back of both shoulders (back fall); hit the ground on the top of my back straight into a roll - for this, the forward fall, it is imperative to tuck in for a half somersault otherwise you will land flat on your back or front; the chute arriere (back somersault off rear of horse) requires landing on knees (using lower body protection) and allowing the impulsion to send you into a forward roll on the ground.
Besides relaxation, it is vital to really be able to control your body because you have to hit the ground with the right part of your body, you have be able to continue the movement and to stop it.
There are two methods to fall with a (trained) falling horse: the horse will either (a) fall on its side or (b) fall forwards onto its shoulder (its pretty much up to the horse, how its been trained and how it behaves on the day). For horse falls I have the toe in the stirrup - that’s toe, not right up to the ball of the feet, important for immediate release. Falling involves the exact same manoeuvre as lying a horse down at a standstill: left leg forward and up to keep it from being caught under the horse, letting the horses impulsion throw you clear into a roll. It depends, sometimes it involves having the right stirrup shorter for kick-off (most horses are trained to fall to the left as it’s more natural) or no stirrups.
Speed of the horse is important. A fast horse helps you clear (meaning projection: like skimming a stone across a pond) and the horse gets away - and that’s the safest thing I need. A slow horse or one that stops when you fall off puts you in danger of not clearing and risks you getting caught under the horse.
Falling at speed is safer!
It is paramount to get clear from the horse. This is where a riders “stick-ability” can put them in danger. The riders instinct is to stick in the saddle and with the horse at all costs as that’s where they feel it is safest (preferably keeping hold of the reins so the horse doesn’t run off). Highly dangerous. This is an area in which I feel people need to be re-educated. It is safer to hit the ground solo than to come down with/under the horse. If the horse is in serious trouble and in danger of falling, then the rider must instinctively get ready to let go, clear and roll safely away. Learn it, make it a habit, and it will become instinct.
I have had accidents where the horse I’m riding has fallen unexpectedly. My training is now my instinct - to free the leg on the side the horse is falling and to use the horses impulsion to help eject myself as far as I can, then to land in a tuck and roll. I have also had a frontal rotational fall where I cleared out forwards and, out of habit, sideways. In that particular situation it is like Russian roulette as it is unpredictable where the horse is going to come down.
When learning a new technique I will do the movements first on the ground, then on a horse at a standstill, then at a walk, fast canter, finally a gallop - for all falls and horse falls.
I hope some of the above may help.