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How to fall off a horse. It's easy! Here are a few tips...

1. Don't pay attention to what is going on around you, that way you'll have no idea if your horse is going to shy, buck or stop suddenly.
2. If number one didn't work try riding a horse that is way beyond your ability to control and combine it with something you are not yet up to, like jumping a 3 foot fence when you've never even been over trot poles.

3. If all else fails, don't adjust your tack properly, leave the girth loose so the saddle can slip and adjust the bridle so the horse can get its tongue over the bit.

Yes these are surefire ways to fall off a horse. If you are sane however your main aim will be to stay on the horse.

There are many suggestions on ways to limit the damage when you fall off a horse, most have at least some connection with stunt falls. The problem with these techniques is stunt people actually plan to separate from the horse. If you have time to think about landing on your feet, tucking your head in or rolling when you hit the ground you have time to think about how to stay on. I always choose the second option, remember those stunt people are not riding recalcitrant horses in uncontrolled situations. Grab onto whatever piece of the horse or tack you can to help you regain your balance. The horse's mane, the reins, the saddle, don't worry if your arms are wrapped around his neck your aim is to keep your backside in that saddle. A lot of falls are preventable if you focus on staying on rather than coming off.

Which brings us to emergency dismounts. The safest way to perform an emergency dismount is at a standstill. I know this sounds ridiculous however the most dangerous thing you can do is try to dismount a horse that is moving at speed. Many riding schools and instructors will no longer teach emergency dismounts, instead they teach emergency control.

When an emergency situation requires you to dismount think first about stopping the horse. Throw away the rule book, do whatever is necessary. Three common examples:

Bolting:
Shorten your rein on one side and pull him in a circle, he may continue to run straight with his head pointing in another direction for a short time but he will come around, as you make the circle tighter he will have to slow down it is physically impossible for him to do otherwise.

Bucking:
Sit back and get his head up, jab him in the mouth with sharp actions on the bit, he can only buck if he can get his head down between his knees.

Rearing:
The opposite is the case for rearing don't touch the bit, given him a completely free rein and put all your weight forward over his neck. The additional weight will encourage him to come down to earth to re-balance.

If you ride for long enough you will experience falls. In most of these you will not have any time to think, one minute you will be riding along and the next you will be on the ground looking around and saying what happened? But that's the risk we take to enjoy our sport.

If you are in a situation where you have time to think, then think about how to stay on and stop the horse rather than how to get off, it is a much safer approach.

Learn more about this author, Marie Hurley.
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