Dismounting the large horse, western style

[Alterration]

I know that typically we do the both feet out and fling off the horse dismount in english-land, and the step-down western.

But what if the ground is too far away because your horse is tall? Do you do the stand in one stirrup and swing the other leg over and slide down approach? Do you still fling? How do you manage not to get a bra hung up in the horn if you fling…or slide for that matter?

I’ve been doing the stand up and swing a leg over approach because I really don’t want to get hung up on the horn, but as I lengthen my stirrups to a more western-appropriate length, I’ve been finding myself a little stuck up there LOL The other day I contemplated finding a fence to help me get off my horse (I’m sure he rolled his eyes at me)

How do you do it?

[endlessclimb]

Same as I do English, personally. Right foot out, bring it over while standing in the left, lift up a little to get left out, then jump down with a little belly bump to make a little space so nothing gets caught.

[saddleup]

No difference for me in dismounting whether English or Western. Both feet out of the stirrups and drop down. And I’ve always ridden tall horses. And I’m tall, too. But it definitely never felt safe to keep my left foot in the stirrup and reach for the ground with my right.

[OzarksRider]

I’ve done it both ways but prefer both feet out of the stirrup English style because it’s easier on my knees. I have a trail saddle without a horn so that helps.

[deweydee]

I’d always pushed off with both feet out until a trainer informed me that was the childish way of doing it, which was news to me! His horses are all in the 14-15 hand range.

I’ll do whatever feels appropriate for the situation. I’ve got a cutting saddle with a tall, thin, horn, but I’ve never had an issue. I’m basically a member of the IBTC though

[goodhors]

I agree with the others. Swing right leg over to match the left in stirrup, then kick left free and slide down. I did this even on small (14.2H) horses. After getting foot momentarily hung in left stirrup, then got free, I said “Never again!” Kick free and slide down.

To prevent bra getting hung up on horn, HOLD THE HORN WITH HAND, until you have both legs on the same side of the horse. Easy way to prevent bra hang up because bra band won’t fit OVER your hand! Also practice NOT LEANING FORWARD as you prepare to swing right leg over the horse rump. Go straight up, then swing right leg over. Riders who keep upper body vertical to the ground, do not get in a position where they can get anything hooked over the saddle horn!

To me, a rider who dismounts without leaning forward (English or western) over the neck/ withers area is MUCH MORE elegant looking than the “leaners” in dismounting! Better posture makes you look better!!

[StarPattern]

People do the step down in western? I usually just kick both feet free of the stirrups, swing one leg over and slide down. I’m short, so many of my dismounts come with a hope and a prayer as well.

[Rackonteur]

Ride with your shirt tucked in so your bra can’t get caught on the saddle horn.
If you’re wearing a jacket over your shirt, unzip/unbutton it before you dismount so its hem won’t get caught on the horn.

[goodhors]

Sorry, shirt tucked in is no guarantee that bra band won’t get hooked if rider leans forward over the horn. Seen it happen.

Rider needs to prevent upper body being over the horn with a more vertical posture or covering the horn with their left hand while dismounting.

Learning a different way to position body parts, left hand on horn, change how you balance to swing right leg over, kick left foot free, takes a LOT OF PRACTICE. You have to relearn the way you do things you may have been doing for years and years!

Certainly nothing so simplistic as tucking in your shirt will be 100% effective in preventing bra snagging on horn if you consistently lean over the horn while dismounting!

[Alterration]

@goodhors

Rider needs to prevent upper body being over the horn with a more vertical posture or covering the horn with their left hand while dismounting.

Learning a different way to position body parts, left hand on horn, change how you balance to swing right leg over, kick left foot free, takes a LOT OF PRACTICE. You have to relearn the way you do things you may have been doing for years and years!

I think I’m fairly vertical, but I’m struggling to bring my leg over without a bit of lean with the longer stirrup. That’s a strength issue and I’m assuming it will resolve eventually, but covering the horn might help as well as using the swells as additional leverage to push myself up (I’m picturing putting my hand on the swell near the horn).

It is REALLY hard to change things like mounting/dismounting. I’m still struggling to mount with longer stirrups too, and I’ve been riding for years and years. In a dressage saddle I cheat, shorten up the mounting stirrup and then lengthen it once on, but in a western saddle those suckers are a PITA to change, so I just am going to have to figure it out. It’s probably all related to hip strength and mobility, but it’s so hard to tell whether it’s that or whether I’m just all thumbs with a new method.

[goodhors]

Have someone video you dismounting, with filming from a couple different angles. Behind you, from the side, front of horse shoulder. You can see how vertical you truly are thru the process, pinpoint a part of dismounting that might put you in a bad position momentarily. Looking at the video can help you spot places you want to change. With videos I am always shocked to see how poorly I am doing something I THOUGHT I was good at!! Camera does not lie, is good to fix my self delusions! Ha ha

I would suggest hand-on-horn over hand-on-the-swell, because you might get snagged without the horn being covered.

An exercise I learned was putting boot toes/ball of foot on the step, then practice lifting heels up, then dropping heels down below the stair lip. Then back up. Do ir a few times daily. It strengthens legs muscles and stretches tendons, which helps heels down during a ride and dismounting.

[beau159]

@Alterration

I know that typically we do the both feet out and fling off the horse dismount in english-land, and the step-down western.

But what if the ground is too far away because your horse is tall? Do you do the stand in one stirrup and swing the other leg over and slide down approach? Do you still fling? How do you manage not to get a bra hung up in the horn if you fling…or slide for that matter?

I’ve been doing the stand up and swing a leg over approach because I really don’t want to get hung up on the horn, but as I lengthen my stirrups to a more western-appropriate length, I’ve been finding myself a little stuck up there LOL The other day I contemplated finding a fence to help me get off my horse (I’m sure he rolled his eyes at me)

How do you do it?

Most of the time, I do the normal “step down”. If horse is really tall, then I step my dismounting foot farther back so them I can “slide” my foot (that is in the stirrup) out of the stirrup.

Now, I’m not that tall but I do have fairly long legs. Biggest horse I have ridden on a regular basis was around 16.2 to 16.3 and I didn’t have any problem mounting normal Western from the ground. But I’ve got some short friends, and sometimes your legs just don’t reach the ground. Either “fling” English style, or use a mounting block to dismount.

Agree that if you hold your hand on the saddle horn when you dismount, that should prevent articles of clothing from getting hung up. And agree to use your stomach muscles to “push” yourself away from your horse as you dismount.

@Rackonteur

Ride with your shirt tucked in so your bra can’t get caught on the saddle horn.

You can still very easily “hook” your bra on the saddle horn through a shirt. That won’t stop it.

[Djones]

I used to ride in a flat seat cutter with that very upright and tall horn. I got a button down (tucked in lol) shirt hung on that damn horn one afternoon. The horn poked into the shirt between buttons. I am short, my horse was tall, and my trainer - who was already riding circles around me, talking to me - saw it all happen and got so tickled she almost fell off lol. It was just us kids so I had no choice but sort of bounce bounce bounce til the shirt gave way lolol.

It’s not about the hem of the shirt getting hung - it’s your bra or the button-down gap…

[Montanas_Girl]

@Rackonteur

Ride with your shirt tucked in so your bra can’t get caught on the saddle horn.

I’m a 34H. I assure you that tucking my shirt in does nothing to prevent my bra from getting hooked over the horn… Staying vertical while dismounting is the key here.

I don’t know anyone who steps down off of a horse, no matter how short or tall. I’ve always been taught - and seen others - to dismount by standing up, swinging my right leg over, slipping my left foot out of the stirrup, and jumping down/back. English or western, it makes no difference.

If your stirrups are so long that you can’t stand up to swing your right leg over the horse, they are too long. A lot of people, especially those new to western riding, try to ride with their stirrups waaaaay too long. You should still have a slight bend in your knees and your heels down, regardless of what saddle you are using.

[Alterration]

I have a bend in my knee, I’m just broken. I’ve had double hip surgeries and back issues so for me, getting out of the tack isn’t easy without the strength of very shortened (think jumper/jockey length) stirrups.

Believe me, they are not long by any objective measure - just long for me and my stupid body. Also - ignore whatever the heck my back was doing in the photo - it’s about the legs lol

Here’s an example. Not terribly long but long compared to a hunter squat.