| Dismounting from a horse is much easier than | | | | may tempt the horse to move unexpectedly while |
| mounting because you have gravity on your side on | | | | you're trying to dismount. |
| the way back down. However, the dismounting | | | | Steps to Dismounting |
| technique is not mounting the horse in reverse. | | | | The essential key to getting off the horse is |
| Correctly dismounting assures the safety and comfort | | | | remembering the process in the following steps: |
| of yourself and the horse. Before you begin, there are | | | | 1. Maintain your hold on the reins at all times to maintain |
| a few checks and tasks to perform. | | | | control of the horse. |
| Of course, you have to stop before you can get off. | | | | 2. Bring your horse to a complete halt. |
| Do save the running dismounts for properly insured, | | | | 3. Take your right foot out of the stirrup. |
| paid stunt professionals. The way to stop the horse will | | | | 4. Place the reins in your left hand and grasp the |
| depend on the horse's gait when you choose to stop | | | | horse's mane at the base of his neck with the same |
| the ride. Each pace will require typical cues with the | | | | hand. Put your right hand on the top front protuberance |
| reins and saddle, and will be beyond the focus of this | | | | of the saddle (the pommel) for stability. |
| article. Can't quite stop? Then you are not ready to | | | | 5. Swing your right leg over the horse's hindquarters. |
| leave the horse's back. | | | | At the same time, move your right hand to the back |
| As with mounting, pick a safe spot to dismount. Find a | | | | of the saddle (the cantle), being careful not to touch |
| spot where there is plenty of room to land when you | | | | the horse with your right boot or leg. |
| step out of the saddle without being close to a wall, a | | | | 6. As you turn to the left, your stomach should be flat |
| fence, or another horse. If you need to dismount while | | | | against the side of the saddle, and your legs are next |
| you are on the hunt or the riding trail, pick a flat area | | | | to one another. Remove your left foot from the stirrup. |
| free of brush and other objects so you won't bump | | | | 7. Slide slowly down until your feet are touching the |
| your elbow or head. | | | | ground. |
| An ideal spot to land would also be an area where | | | | That is how it works when all is well with the world. |
| your horse is comfortable and unlikely to spook or | | | | There may be circumstances in which you haven't |
| start moving. Good examples would include a hitching | | | | time to follow these steps. You may even be thrown |
| post or the inside of an arena. | | | | from your mount. In these two case, it is important to |
| Try to land on stable ground clear of objects, | | | | talk with your trainer or instructor about his preferred |
| especially mounting blocks used to get on the horse. | | | | approach to dismounting in an emergency, and staying |
| Avoid dismounting near an open gate or barn door. It | | | | as safe as possible in case you fall from your mount. |