How to Dismount and Untack a Horse
You might have just fallen in love with horse riding and there is time for many more rides ahead. But now you are going to need to learn how to dismount from your horse and how to get all of the horse’s gear off so that you and your horse can ride again safely very soon. It’s not difficult to dismount from your horse, but there is one important thing to remember: don’t jump straight off! Before you even consider dismounting from your horse, be sure that it has stopped moving. After all, this is not a car that you can just turn off the keys and know it’s stopped moving. A moving horse can be very dangerous for you, so you will need to make sure your horse is standing completely still before you swing out of the saddle. Even if you are sure your horse has stopped moving, you should never let go of the reins until you are firmly on the ground. You will need to reverse the movements that put you on the saddle to begin with. You will need to remove your right foot from the stirrup. Shift the reins to your left hand and grab a handful of the horse’s mane for more stability with the same left hand. Next, grab the front of the horse’s saddle or pommel with your right hand. Next, swing your right leg around the horse’s back without hitting him. You certainly wouldn’t want to smack your horse in the back and have him take off again on you when you are in such a vulnerable position. You can swing your right leg and move your right hand from the pommel to the back of the saddle for more support. Now, you can safely dismount from your horse with your stomach resting on his side as you slide your way down, right leg next to your left leg. You will need to eventually slide your left leg out of the stirrup when it feels comfortable to you. You will need to make sure your horse is completely comfortable once you are on the ground. You will need to step to the left side of the horse and swing the reins over the horse’s head. Make sure that your horse cools down. If you have just gone on a run or long walk in the heat, make sure that he is not overheated and stay with him until he has cooled down. You should always walk around with your horse at least 10 minutes after a ride just to make sure he is okay, even if he is not sweating. When your horse is comfortable and cooled down, you will need to lead him to the stable and put him between the crossties. You will need to buckle the horse’s halter around his neck and make sure that the crossties are completely in place. This will help to control him even as you are removing his bridle. Next, unbuckle his noseband and undo his throatlatch, sliding the bridle around his ears and wait for him to open his mouth. After he opens his mouth, you can release the bit and slide the rest of his bridle all the way off. You can then buckle the halter back into place after you slide it over his head. Take off the horse’s saddle next. You can unbuckle the left side and then the right side. You will want to secure the stirrups beforehand so they don’t swing around and hit you. Finally, be sure to remove the saddle pad, brush your horse down and possibly give him a treat for being such a great animal. More Articles on Horse Riding Training Tips and Guide: | 