Dismounting - Advice from Woodland Horse Center

16301 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20905
301-421-9156
woodland16301@verizon.net

You're most vulnerable to injury when dismounting and mounting, because if
the horse moves, you're not securely in the saddle. To reduce your
vulnerability, avoid having one foot in the stirrup, just in case the horse
moves. That's why the following dismounting method is the safest:

You're on track if you can:

		Comfortably lead a horse from barn to ring.
		Gracefully mount (well, let's just say if you can get on the
		horse).
		Keep your horse away from other horses.
		Walk in a straight line with reasonably correct riding position.
		Implement the progression of aids.
		Turn the horse to the left and right.
		Turn a complete circle.
		Halt.
		Dismount.
		Laugh and have a great time!

Dismounting a Horse

Gather both reins and some mane in your left hand.
Take both feet out of the stirrups.
With both hands on the front of the saddle (the pommel), start to
swing your right leg back and over the cantle. As your right leg
comes over your horse's rump, take the weight into both arms.
After you right leg comes over, it should meet the left leg, and you
should land gently on your toes, with your knees flexed.