Mastering How To Dismount From A Horse Safely

What is the safest way to get off a horse? The safest way to get off a horse involves a planned, steady process where you keep control of the reins, use your stirrup for support, and swing your leg over smoothly, landing softly on both feet. This guide will show you the best dismounting techniques for horseback riding so you can always finish your ride well.

Importance of a Safe Dismount

Getting off your horse correctly is just as vital as mounting up. A poor dismount can startle the horse. It can also lead to a bad fall for the rider. We must learn how to get off every time we ride. This ensures safety for both you and your horse. Learning safely getting off a horse is a key skill for all riders.

Why Riders Rush the Dismount

Riders often rush the last step. They might be tired after a long ride. They might be eager to untack the horse. Rushing causes problems. It makes the movements jerky. A jerky movement can make the horse shift weight unexpectedly. This is when falls happen.

Preparation: The Steps Before You Swing Over

A good dismount starts before you even move your feet. You must prepare your horse and yourself. This preparation makes the whole process smoother.

Finding the Right Spot

First, find a good place to stop. Do not stop near fences or other busy areas.

Choose flat, level ground.
Make sure there is plenty of clear space around you.
Ask your horse to stand completely still. Wait for them to settle their feet.

Getting the Horse to Stand Square

You need your horse to stand still. Ask them to stop walking. Use light leg pressure. Wait until you feel them stop moving their feet. A horse that is moving is harder to dismount from.

Controlling the Reins

You must keep control of the reins. Do not drop them! Loose reins let the horse wander off. They can also get tangled.

Hold the reins firmly but gently in your left hand.
The reins should keep the horse standing quietly.
Do not pull hard. Just keep a light connection.

The Standard Dismount Procedure (English and Western)

While there are small style differences, the core horse dismount procedure is very similar for both English and Western styles. The goal is balance and controlled movement.

Getting Ready to Move

Before lifting your leg, make sure your body is positioned right.

1. Shorten the Reins

Gather your reins slightly. This keeps the horse steady.

2. Secure Your Hands

Place your right hand on the horse’s back or pommel/saddle horn. This hand acts as your anchor. It helps you stay balanced as you swing your leg over.

3. Prepare the Left Foot

Move your left foot slightly forward in the stirrup. This puts you in the best position to lift your leg over the cantle (the back part of the saddle).

The Swing Over

This is the critical part. Move slowly and smoothly.

Push up lightly off the left stirrup.
Swing your left leg up and over the horse’s back. Keep your knee bent so the foot clears the horse’s rear end.
Keep your right hand pressed gently on the saddle for balance. Do not push down hard.
Let your body follow the swing. You should end up facing the left side of the horse.

The Descent

This final movement should be a controlled slide down.

Let your left leg drop down the side of the horse.
Slide your left foot out of the stirrup slowly.
Land on the ball of your left foot first. Then, let your heel gently touch the ground.
Use your right hand to steady yourself as you slide down.
Let your right foot smoothly clear the saddle and find the ground next to your left foot.
Both feet should land on the ground at the same time, or the dismounting foot slightly before the ground foot settles.

After Landing

Once your feet are on the ground, you are safe. But you are not done yet.

Keep holding the reins firmly.
Keep your body close to the horse for a moment. This ensures the horse does not suddenly walk off while you are off balance.

Style Variations in Dismounting

Different riding disciplines require slight changes to the basic movements. Knowing the right technique helps with preventing falls when dismounting.

English Riding Dismount

In English riding dismount, the saddle is deeper, and the stirrups are shorter.

Stop the horse and stand still.
Shorten the reins slightly.
Place your right hand on the cantle or saddle pad.
Move your left foot forward.
Lift your left leg over the horse’s back, clearing the saddle.
Keep your weight centered until your left leg drops down the far side.
Slide down gently, releasing the stirrup last.
Land softly beside the horse.

Western Riding Dismount

The Western riding dismount often involves a slightly larger saddle, and the stirrups are usually longer.

Stop the horse squarely.
Keep a firm hold on the reins.
Place your right hand on the saddle horn or the front of the swell.
Shift your weight slightly to the left.
Swing your left leg high over the horse’s back. Because the saddle is bigger, this swing needs good height.
Land on the ball of your foot first.
Release the left stirrup.
Lower yourself down, keeping the horse controlled with the reins.

Side-Saddle Dismount

The side-saddle dismount is a specialized skill. It is very formal and requires practice.

The rider turns to face the near side (the left side).
The left skirt of the habit is held clear.
The rider slides slightly forward toward the pommels.
The right foot (the one in the stirrup) is pulled out first.
The rider swings both legs together smoothly down the side of the horse, landing neatly with the habit falling correctly.
The right hand holds the apron or skirt down to keep it from catching on anything.

Adjusting for Different Horse Heights

Dismounting from a tall horse requires more flexibility and a slightly different approach to the swing.

When a horse is very tall, the distance from the stirrup to the ground is greater. This means you have more distance to cover when you step down.

Use the stirrup longer: Do not rush to take your foot out of the stirrup immediately. Use it for support until your body is almost fully on the ground.
Hold tight to the pommel/horn: You need a secure grip. A slightly longer swing might be necessary to clear the horse’s flank without kicking them.
Bend knees more: Absorbing the height with bent knees upon landing is crucial to avoid jarring your joints.

If you are a shorter rider dismounting a tall horse, it is often best to have assistance or use a mounting block placed behind the horse to dismount onto, as jumping down can be unsafe.

Safety Checks: Preventing Accidents

Many accidents happen because riders forget simple safety checks. Focusing on these details helps in preventing falls when dismounting.

Table: Common Dismounting Mistakes and Fixes

Mistake	Resulting Danger	How to Fix It
Dropping the reins	Horse walks away or trips over them.	Keep a firm, light hold on both reins throughout the whole process.
Looking down	Loss of balance; body leans too far forward or back.	Keep your eyes up and look where you are going (the ground next to the horse).
Pushing off too hard	Horse gets startled; rider loses control of the swing.	Use the stirrup only for balance; push up gently, relying on the swing motion.
Swinging too slow	Rider gets stuck halfway over the horse’s back.	Practice a smooth, continuous motion from start to finish.

The Importance of Stillness

If your horse moves while you are halfway off, you are in a very awkward position. This is the main cause of bad falls.

Always wait for the horse to be completely still. If the horse takes one step while your leg is over the back, quickly bring your leg back over and stop the movement. Wait for them to settle again before trying once more.

Teaching a Child to Dismount a Horse

Teaching a child to dismount a horse requires extra patience and focus on security. Children often lack the strength or coordination for a perfect swing.

Key Steps for Young Riders

Use Small Ponies First: Start on a very small, calm pony where the ground is close.
Use a Helper: Have an adult stand on the ground on the dismounting side. This adult should lightly hold the child’s waist or jacket for security during the swing.
Simplify the Movement: Focus first on getting the leg over. Worry about the landing technique later.
Practice Stepping Down: Have the child practice stepping down from a low stool or block. This builds the muscle memory for the descent.
No Stirrup Practice: Once they master the swing, have them practice letting the stirrup go right before they land. This builds independence.

For small children, it is often safer to lead the pony to a very low block or step. They can then step down onto the block before stepping to the ground. This reduces the drop height significantly.

Post-Ride Horse Handling After Dismount

A successful dismount does not end the ride completely. Post-ride horse handling after dismount is necessary to ensure a good conclusion to the session.

Immediate Actions

As soon as your feet hit the ground, do these things in order:

Hold the Reins: Keep the reins tight enough to stop the horse from moving forward.
Secure the Horse: If you are at your barn, immediately tie the horse safely to a solid post using a quick-release knot.
Remove Stirrups (If Needed): If you are ready to remove the tack, you usually secure the stirrups first by running them up the leathers and buckling them.

Checking the Horse

Take a moment to check your horse. A calm horse right after a dismount shows they felt secure during the process.

Feel their back briefly for any signs of soreness.
Look at their legs for any bumps from your dismount.

Advanced Considerations for Dismounting

As riders advance, they may encounter tricky situations requiring fluid adjustments to the basic procedure.

Dismounting at an Angle or Slope

Never try to dismount when a horse is walking downhill or uphill. Ask the horse to move to level ground first. If you must dismount on a slight slope:

If Sloping Downhill: Dismount toward the downhill side. This keeps your weight closer to the horse’s center of gravity.
If Sloping Uphill: Dismount toward the uphill side. This prevents you from sliding too far forward past the horse’s shoulder as you descend.

Dismounting While Tied

If you are tied to a fence or cross-tie, you must be extremely careful. Ensure the tie is set to the correct length so the horse cannot step back and hit you while you swing your leg over. Always use a safety release knot in case of emergency.

The “No Stirrup” Dismount

In some military or emergency situations, riders need to leave the saddle without using the stirrups for balance. This is an advanced skill.

The key here is to use the reins and the saddle pommel/cantle for support. The swing must be powerful and quick. The rider uses upper body strength to swing the leg over cleanly and drops straight down, absorbing the impact with bent knees. This is dangerous and should only be practiced under expert supervision.

Practicing for Perfection

Like any skill, safe dismounting needs practice. Treat every dismount like a mini-lesson.

Practice Drills

The Stand Still Drill: Ask the horse to stop. Dismount, then immediately remount. Repeat this ten times without moving the horse between dismounts. Focus only on smooth transitions.
The Reins Check: Have a helper hold the horse’s lead rope loosely while you dismount. The goal is for the horse to stand perfectly still even with minimal control from you, proving the connection is solid.
Varying Surfaces: Practice dismounting on grass, dirt, and sand to get used to slight variations in footing when you land.

By paying close attention to your balance, your horse’s stillness, and using controlled movements, you master this essential part of horsemanship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should I always remove my left foot from the stirrup first?

Yes, almost always. The left side is traditionally the dismounting side. Keeping the left foot in the stirrup until the leg is over the horse’s back provides crucial balance support during the swing.

What if my horse keeps trying to walk off as I try to get off?

If the horse moves, immediately bring your leg back over to the mounting side. Stand next to your horse, regain control of the reins, and ask them to stand still again using verbal commands and light pressure. Do not fight them while you are partially dismounted. Only try again when they are completely settled.

Is it better to dismount onto a mounting block?

Dismounting onto a mounting block (or a low step) is highly recommended, especially for shorter riders, older riders, or when dismounting from a tall horse. It dramatically reduces the height you have to jump or slide, making the process much safer and easier on your joints.

How long should I hold the reins after my feet are on the ground?

Hold the reins securely for a few moments—at least three to five seconds—after landing. This ensures that if the horse tries to step forward as you release your weight, you maintain control and can immediately stop them. Only drop the reins or hand them over once the horse is truly standing quietly.