How To Dismount A Horse Safely & Easily

Can I learn to get off a horse easily? Yes, anyone can learn to get off a horse easily by following simple, safe horse dismounting steps. Mastering the horse dismounting techniques is as crucial as learning to mount. It ensures both your safety and the horse’s comfort. This guide breaks down the process into easy steps, helping you achieve smooth and safe horse dismounting every time.

The Importance of Proper Dismounting

Getting off your horse safely matters a lot. A bad dismount can scare the horse. It can also cause you to fall or twist something. Good habits start with knowing the right way. Dismounting a horse correctly builds trust between you and your horse. It shows your horse you are in control, even at the end of the ride.

Preparing for a Safe Dismount

Before you even start moving, preparation is key. Think of this as the pre-flight check for landing. Never rush this part. A calm, steady dismount starts well before your feet touch the ground.

Finding the Right Spot

Location is very important for a safe exit. You need a clear area.

Good Dismount Locations:

A flat, level spot.
Away from gates or walls.
Where the horse is calm and standing still.

Avoid dismounting on a hill or near busy areas. A spooked horse near a fence is a big risk.

Getting the Horse to Stand Still

Your horse must stand quietly. If your horse is still moving, wait. Ask your horse to halt completely. Use your reins gently to ask for a stop. Wait for the horse to stand square (all four feet planted).

Tell your horse what you plan to do. Use a calm voice. This helps them relax.

Checking Your Gear

Look at your stirrups and saddle before you move. Make sure your reins are secure in one hand. If you are learning to get off a horse, keep your reins short but not tight. A loose rein can let the horse move its head suddenly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Horse Dismounting Techniques

Most riders use the standard left-side dismount. This is the traditional way and works well for most situations.

Horse Riding Dismount Steps: The Standard Left-Side Dismount

Follow these steps closely for a smooth exit. This is one of the most practiced horse dismounting techniques.

Step 1: Position and Reins

Halt your horse. Make sure the horse is still.
Shift your weight slightly toward the center of the saddle.
Gather both reins in your left hand. Keep them steady. Do not pull hard.

Step 2: Stirrup Adjustment

Move your right hand to the horse’s mane or the front of the saddle. This is for balance.
Swing your right leg up and over the horse’s back. Be careful not to kick the horse’s hindquarters. This can cause a quick movement.

If you are dismounting from a high horse, swinging your leg might feel harder. Take your time. Do not rush the swing.

Step 3: The Swing Over

As your right leg goes over, keep your body facing forward toward the horse’s neck.
Use your left hand on the rein for balance only. Do not lean heavily on it.
Keep your seat centered in the saddle as long as possible.

Step 4: Landing

Let your right foot drop down toward the ground.
Keep holding the left rein lightly.
Swing your body smoothly to the left side.
Land softly on the ball of your right foot first.
Let your left leg follow. Let the stirrup drop away as you move.
Land facing the horse’s left side, slightly behind the shoulder.

Step 5: Final Position

Slide gently off the saddle.
Keep a light contact on the horse’s neck or mane until both feet are on the ground.
Stand clear of the horse’s legs immediately. Never let your feet get caught.

Table: Comparing Stirrup Management During Dismount

Action	Left Hand (Reins)	Right Leg Action	Landing Foot	Focus
Before Swing	Light hold on reins.	Rises over the cantle.	N/A	Balance and control.
Mid-Swing	Maintain light contact.	Swings forward and down.	Right foot touches first.	Smooth movement.
Landing	Release rein if necessary (if tied).	Follows through to the ground.	Left foot lands beside right.	Clear of the horse.

Addressing Specific Dismounting Challenges

Not every dismount is textbook perfect. Sometimes the horse is difficult, or the tack is unusual. Knowing how to handle these situations is vital for safe horse dismounting.

Dismounting a Stubborn Horse

Dismounting a stubborn horse requires patience, not force. A stubborn horse might try to walk off or drop its shoulder.

Tips for a Stubborn Horse:

Ensure the horse is truly halted. Use your legs to keep it still if needed.
Talk to the horse calmly.
If the horse tries to move, stop the dismount. Ask for a small step forward, then halt again firmly. Repeat until it stands still for the dismount. Never try to swing over if the horse is moving.

Dismounting From a High Horse

Dismounting from a high horse (like a tall draft or warmblood) means a longer drop. This requires extra attention to the landing.

Stirrup Management: Be very careful not to catch your foot in the stirrup. For very tall horses, some riders remove the right stirrup before swinging the leg over.
Knee Bend: Land with your knees slightly bent. This acts as a natural shock absorber.
Sliding: Do not jump straight down. Allow your body to slide gently down the horse’s side.

Assisted Horse Dismount

If you struggle with balance or height, seek an assisted horse dismount. This is common for younger riders, older riders, or those recovering from injury.

An assistant stands on the horse’s left side. They hold the reins firmly.

How Assistance Works:

The assistant holds the reins tight. They keep the horse still.
The assistant places one hand on your waist or hip.
You swing your leg over. The assistant supports your weight slightly as you swing.
As you land, the assistant helps guide you so you do not drop heavily onto your feet.

This is a great way for beginners to practice the motions safely while learning to get off a horse.

Emergency Dismounting Procedures

Sometimes, things go wrong quickly. A sudden spook or a fall risk means you need a horse emergency dismount. This is not a graceful exit; it is a controlled bail-out.

When to Use an Emergency Dismount:

The horse is bolting or running away rapidly.
The horse is bucking violently and you cannot stay on.
The horse is falling over.

The goal is to get clear of the horse’s path fast.

The Rolling Dismount (For Running Horses)

If the horse is running, attempting the standard dismount is dangerous, as your foot might catch in the stirrup.

Lean Forward: Lean hard against the horse’s neck. Keep your chest low.
Release Reins: Let the reins go completely if you must. Do not fight the horse’s speed.
Kick Free: Kick both feet hard out of the stirrups. Do this immediately and forcefully.
Roll Away: As soon as your feet are clear, roll sideways off the horse’s back, moving away from the horse’s body. Try to roll away from its hind legs. Aim to roll with the direction of travel, not against it.

This is risky. Only use this when staying on is more dangerous than getting off. Always try to slow the horse first, if possible.

Dismounting Aids for Riders

If mobility is an issue, dismounting aids for riders can make life much easier and safer.

Mounting/Dismounting Blocks: These are essential. They reduce the height you need to swing your leg over. They also help you sit down into the saddle rather than dropping into it.
Stirrup Extenders: These temporarily lengthen the stirrup, making the foot placement lower and easier to reach during the dismount.
Assistive Straps: Some riders use a strap attached to the saddle or handle that they can hold onto for extra stability while swinging the leg over.

The Importance of Correct Posture in Dismounting

Good posture keeps you balanced and keeps the horse calm. Bad posture tells the horse you are unstable.

What Not To Do

Avoiding these common mistakes is part of dismounting a horse correctly:

Do not kick the horse: Swinging your leg too hard over the back can hit the horse and make it jump forward.
Do not lean back: Leaning back makes you look like you are falling off the rear, which can cause the horse to stop abruptly or move backward unexpectedly.
Do not hold on too tight: Gripping the saddle horn or reins too hard while swinging makes your body stiff. A stiff body is hard to balance.
Do not jump: Never jump off, especially from height. Always aim for a controlled slide.

Foot Position on Landing

Landing correctly minimizes jarring to your body.

Heels Down (Momentarily): As you prepare to land, keep your heels slightly down to maintain leg contact until you are ready to release.
Ball of Foot First: Your weight should land on the ball of your foot.
Bend Knees: Absorb the shock through your knees and hips.

Dismounting from Different Saddles

The type of saddle affects the dismount slightly.

English Saddle Dismount

English saddles have a flatter seat and smaller flaps.

The swing is usually cleaner because there is less bulk around the leg.
Hold the pommel (front of the saddle) lightly for balance if needed.

Western Saddle Dismount

Western saddles have a deeper seat and a horn.

The horn offers a secure place to hold while swinging the leg over.
However, the larger fender (the leather flap) might catch the inside of your knee during the swing. Be mindful of this bulk.

If you are dismounting from a high horse fitted with a heavy Western saddle, the height added by the saddle itself means an even more careful landing.

Post-Dismount Routine

Your job isn’t done when your feet hit the dirt. A good routine ensures the horse remains safe and settled.

Securing the Horse

Always secure your horse immediately after dismounting.

Hold the reins firmly or tie the horse securely to a solid post or rail.
If you are alone, use a lead rope attached to a halter, even if you are just untacking. Never just drop the reins when you are done riding.

Tack Check

While standing next to the horse, do a quick check. Feel the horse’s back for unusual heat spots that might show saddle rubbing. Check that the girth is still snug enough to prevent the saddle from shifting when you lift it off.

Cooling Down

Talk to your horse. Praise them for standing still during the dismount. A calm ending reinforces good behavior.

Fathoming the Right Pace for Dismounting

The speed at which you dismount greatly impacts safety.

Too Fast: Leads to a jumpy landing, potential stirring catching, and might scare the horse.
Too Slow: Can frustrate the horse, especially if it is eager to move or is tired. It can also lead to becoming unbalanced if the horse shifts its weight.

The ideal pace is deliberate and fluid. It should feel like one continuous, smooth motion. This fluidity comes from practice. Every step of the horse riding dismount steps must flow into the next without hesitation.

Summary of Safe Dismounting Practices

To summarize the core elements of safe horse dismounting:

Safety Element	Key Action	Why It Matters
Preparation	Halt completely on level ground.	Prevents accidental movement during the swing.
Balance	Use one hand for balance (saddle or neck).	Keeps you centered over the horse’s balance point.
Leg Swing	Swing the leg smoothly over, not kicking.	Stops the horse from anticipating sudden movement.
Landing	Land on the ball of the foot with bent knees.	Absorbs impact and prevents falling forward or backward.
Release	Release the stirrup before your foot lands.	Avoids being dragged if the horse moves unexpectedly.

For riders who find this challenging, remember that dismounting aids for riders are available. Do not hesitate to use a mounting block. Safety comes first when learning to get off a horse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the safest way to dismount a horse if I am very nervous?

The safest way is using an assisted horse dismount from a stable platform like a mounting block. Have an experienced person hold the reins securely while you swing your leg over. This lets you focus purely on the motion without worrying about the horse moving.

Q: How do I deal with a horse that always tries to move off just as I swing my leg over?

This is common when dismounting a stubborn horse or one that is eager to go back to the barn. Before swinging your leg, use your inside leg (left leg) gently against the horse’s side to keep it square and still. You must gain their attention and halt them firmly before you begin the dismount sequence. If they move, stop the dismount, reset, and ask again.

Q: Can I use the left side only? Is it okay to dismount from the right?

While the left side is standard practice (for safety when dismounting near fences or other riders), it is technically possible to dismount from the right. However, you should only practice this if you have a specific need (like dealing with an injury) and only when alone in a safe area. Always practice the horse riding dismount steps from the left first.

Q: What is the risk if I don’t remove my foot from the stirrup when dismounting from a high horse?

The primary risk is entanglement. If you land incorrectly or the horse spooks right as you land, your foot can remain caught in the stirrup iron. This can lead to being dragged, which is extremely dangerous. Always ensure your right foot is free before you land fully.

Q: Should I hold the reins tightly when I dismount?

No. Holding the reins too tightly can pull the horse’s head around or cause it to tense up. You need a light, steady contact in your left hand—enough to ask the horse to stand still, but not enough to restrict its neck movement during your swing. This applies to all horse dismounting techniques.