In my opinion everyone who rides a horse should know how to do this.
Today’s blog entry is by Stacy Westfall with Jennifer Forsberg-Meyer
Photos by Cappy Jackson
In some ways, riding bareback is safer than riding in a saddle, because if you do come off, there’s no chance of getting hung up. To enhance your safety even more, make this emergency dismount the first thing you learn. With a friend to help you, practice it first at a standstill, then a walk, then a slow jog, and eventually an extended trot and lope. Here my son Caleb will demonstrate it for you. We’ll show you the walking sequence, but be sure you start at a standstill.
1. As a friend leads your quiet horse or pony, sit relaxed. look straight ahead, and grab a hunk of mane.
2. Then lean forward, pressing down on your horse’s neck as you shift weight onto your hands.
3. Supporting yourself on your hands, swing your right leg up.
4. …and over, letting your body slide down as you prepare to push yourself away from your horse…
5. …and twist so that you land on your feet, facing forward and moving at a speed commensurate with your horse’s.
This article originally appeared in the April 2008 issue of Horse & Rider magazine.