maybe I am lucky but I have been riding for 41 years and have only fell off about 10 times and that is when I was a teenager with my pony who was a bit of a handful for me! I am scared of falling off now only because I am on warafrin, but all I do now is walk any way or school in a school environment where if I should fall the impact would be less

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www.tonette.co.uk

For someone on the internet to say that you are guaranteed to fall off the first time you gallop is absolute rubbish.
I started riding when I was 5 years old and I did not fall off for the fist 5 years and that was jumping and all sorts!!
I have now been riding 15 years and I have probably fallen off a handfull of times if that!!
Riding should be fun and the way I see it is if you fall you fall, no point worrying about it because you cant prevent it! lol Just enjoy yourself!!
I have very bad knees so a fall could mean serious injury for me too, but I would rather do something I love than avoid it for the "what if" point of things!
Good luck with the riding

Express your concerns with your riding instructor regarding falling.

I know of a few excellent teachers who actually show people how to fall correctly. This involves folding up to try and make a roll if you do hit the ground. It helps to take out direct impact on your joints.

Other than that, dont worry about falling off. It usually doesnt hurt as much as you think it will, just be confident and have all the correct gear.