How to get off without falling on my butt?

Well, I just bought a western saddle this past week. Took a test ride in it, and it fit my horse well, and was comfortable to ride in. Only problem was getting off…I almost fell on my butt! How do you gracefully get off from a western saddle when you have no grace and very little coordination? Should I be standing in the stirrup, or take both feet out? Any advice would be gratefully accepted!

I’m an uncoordinated shorty so I’d stand using the left stirrup, swing my right leg over, and slide down on my hip. I learned early on that I’d hook my bra on the horn if I didn’t stand, lol.

Keep ahold of the horn until you’re stable on the ground. You’ll be more steady…but slide down with both feet out of the stirrups for safety.

I’ve had friends hook their bras on the horn when they leaned too far forward when getting off…it can be interesting!

You can either take both feet from the stirrups, then swing the right over and slide down, while keeping your hand on the horn and kind of pushing away, or keep your left foot in the stirrup and swing that right foot over, then take both feet out and slip down. Again, if you push yourself out a bit, and keep your hand on the horn, you will not get hooked or speared!

I hadn’t even considered getting hung up on my bra! I had a bigger issue with getting my leg over the cantle - it’s so much higher than my english saddle! So I was thinking that I had to lean further forward to get my leg around…guess that’s the point where I would wind up hanging by my bra!!

I usually kick my feet out of the sittups, swing my leg off, and push off the saddle with my hands. More of a jump off.

Kind of like this. I picked it up when I was barrel racing, once I was done with my runs I’d jump off like this and loosen my cinch as we walked back to the trailer.

(my volume is off, so I have no idea what she’s saying)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhzWAPU36gk

Everyone pretty much covered it already.

And I’m about to confess a sin. I’ve been known to bring my right leg over the neck rather than bring it over 'round back properly. Then I just kick the left foot out of the stirrup and slide down like I would after sitting on a counter. Hides Shame on me, I know. Decidedly not a good idea, even when your confident your horse isn’t going to give a rodent’s bum.

And to share a funny, the first time back in a western saddle after riding nothing but english for a few years, I completely failed to judge how much I needed to bring my leg up, got hung up on the cantle but was already sliding down since I’d taken my left foot out of the stirrup. Fortunately, Shadow is a saint and just turned to look at me while I stood there looking like I was stretching for an audition with the Rockettes. :lol: I swear sometimes I’ve survived this long because I’m very fortunate to have had mostly horses who will do the equine equiv of “bless your heart”

Sorry, I forgot to mention that after swinging my right leg over, I take my left foot out before sliding down.

I find it a lot easier to first kick my right foot free of the stirrup then put both hands on the swells on either side of the horn. Then I straighten my arms out and stand up on my left stirrup. I lift my right leg straight out to the side. Swing said straight right leg behind over the cantle and then down beside the left. Ease to the ground.

Getting your leg over the cantle is definitely easier if your leg is straight and there’s almost a 90 degree angle between your left and right legs. I’ve only gotten caught up on the cantle if I try to dismount like it’s an English saddle by freeing both feet first.

[QUOTE=lilitiger2;6298737]
You can either take both feet from the stirrups, then swing the right over and slide down, while keeping your hand on the horn and kind of pushing away, or keep your left foot in the stirrup and swing that right foot over, then take both feet out and slip down. Again, if you push yourself out a bit, and keep your hand on the horn, you will not get hooked or speared![/QUOTE]

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