Got thrown out of the saddle by a horse today and got mildly fucked up. I want to invest in more protective gear than just a helmet but there’s so many options. I want elbow pads and wrist guards definitely because of the bad scrapes and sprains I got. And maybe some kind of vest to protect me from any gut punches the horn of the saddle will give me if the horse tries to throw me again. My stomach has some nice big bruises from the horn.
Honestly the best thing is to learn how to fall without getting hurt. And how to bail safely if you lose control of the horse. That’s some of the first things you should have been taught when you were learning to ride.
Best thing to do when falling is tuck and roll. Keep limbs from getting stepped on, get away from the horse, and prevent a hard landing.