I'm very sorry to hear about your accident. And getting back on a horse can be very scary.
When we are older our bodies do not heal as quickly as they use to but they do.
Is your horse normally calm? If so getting back on shouldn't be too big of a problem.
If not find a really calm horse and start slowly. Have a horse friend lead you with a lead rope, or just walk at first until you get your confidence back.
As you probably know horses sence our fear and you have reason to be afraid.
Heal first both mentally and physically.
Just be around a horse, for now, until your breathing is very calm and build on that.
I hope this helps in some way,you have a great day, OK.
Ronda

Ronda, thxs. a lot. am going to follow up on your suggestions.

Hi Malina (This is my second go as I accidently deleted my first attemp as I finished it) - so sorry about your fall and broken arm. It is tougher when we are older - I am a little older - but your arm will recover. If you love horses and love riding then don't make any big decisions right now just wait until your arm is better and see how you feel then. If you have a quieter horse to start off on later that would be good as it will help you regain your confidence. Last May I had a very nasty fall of my young horse Tricka - my fault but she reacted badly, took off pigrooted and sent me somersaulting through the air to land heavily on my back, winding me in the process. I eventually managed to get up and even though I was in pain got back on Tricka and tried the same canter exercise again. Being a young horse I knew that I had to get back on as she had never done anything wrong before and I couldn't let her think she had got away with her pig root. It was important for me too but I could hardly walk the next day. My sciatic nerve was apparently pinched. I saw chiro, oesteo, doctor and physio but had little relief from the pain for five weeks and lived on heavy pain killers. During that time I contemplated the possibility of never recoverin and never being able to ride again. I even began to think about what I could do with all my loved animals. Five weeks later I decided to take Tricka to our subsequent rally. I only intended gettin on her and walking around a bit but I was asked to join a group as they were short. During the session I circled Tricka onto the wet grass at trot to avoid having to canter. She saw the back of a megaphone which she had been wary of, shyed badly and off I flew pulling her over too on the wet grass. She landed heavily on her back on the saddle with her 4 legs all in the air. I jumped up immediately to help her as I was terrified that I had broken her back. Her back is still has re-curing soreness but she fixed my back with that fall and I have felt very little pain since. Once again I was able to ride and do all the heavy work associated with owning multiple horses - trimming hooves, lifting hay bales etc. I had a good laugh along with all my club members when I was awarded a special "Involuntary Dismount Award for 2011" at our end of year rally. It is hard to contemplate now how depressed I was and how painful my bac was. Given I had to rest Tricka and only ride her occasionally I started riding my older safer horse, Nicky, and my confidence soon returned.

Apologies for all the typos above - I lost it a second time so once my daughter told me about 'Control z' I hastily pushed add comment.

Hi Malina,
From my experience it takes some time to overcome shock and the natural reaction to what happened, so your fear. Time will help you find out how and why this accident happened, was it your lack of judgement of the situation, was it an insecurity the mare always has, was it some real unforseen situation, etc. Going from there you'll see where it takes you.
Most of us step into the saddle again after healing all physical and psychological wounds, but this is not a rule of thumb. You will have to feel the need to do it, there's a time for that.
For now, recover, love your mare and be greatful it was "only" your arm, that broke!
When you're recovered, you could decide to do a good Join-up with your mare to re-establish trust between the two of you, maybe more than once even.
I wish you a quick recovery,
Miriam

Hi Malina, I had an accident a few years back. I fell off a horse and my leg got hurt, but luckily didn't get broken. I got on a week later after recovery, and slowly got my confidence back, I'm still working on it.

Hi Malina, I fell off lots as a kid! I was always told to 'Just get back on the horse' which i did. Quite a bit different when we are older though! I have not had a fall in over 15 years and i dread falling off again! I now always wear a hard hat and a safety vest, called a Vipa Vest, worn by jockeys here in Australia. I feel safer and more prepared but i think i would still be pretty shaken if i did come off. I thnk you just have to give yourself time to recover both physically and emotionally and don't let anyone rush you into riding again, do it when YOU are ready.
As Ronda suggested, maybe use a really qiet plodder to begin again. I don't know what style of riding you practice but if english you could try a saddle with a nice deep seat to make you feel more secure. I ride in an australian stock saddle which has a really deep seat and knee blocks. I feel really nice and safe in it. Put me in my wintec all purpose and i feel like i am sitting on a skinny fence! Let us know your progress :-)
Janelle

falling of geting kicked a smack in the eye i think when ever we have or get a injury it definatly takes the wind out of you and dents the confidance i spent time reflecting and even found i lost confidance or maybe a healthy new respect of fear and {pain} now when ever im around oscar im fully alert and presant with always one eye on him they are flight fright animals and as much as we train desensatise there can always just be that one moment when they decide to do somthing where just not prepared for .would i be with out him in my life now no way the pleasure and joy i get from him far out ways the other for me it builds my confidance when ever where together and no we dont bounce so well when we get older and the fright goes deep learn from it study it{ wisdom the gowing older blessing its the good fight !

Dear Malina
I have no definite answer. Basically, there will be an age where we have to stop mounting horses. Monty is still mounting those horses he is sure to not be bucked off. A little risk remains. On the other hand we can go on doing groundwork for much longer. I think it is a good idea to mount only calm horses and avoid any risks as much as possible.
Rudi

wow, I can`t tell you how grateful I am for your sharing with me. I will take it all in and let it sink. At least I know I am not the only one out there!!!!!!!!!