What do you do when you fall off of a horse?

Question

When you fall off is it better to hold on to the reigns or let go? in my 2 years of riding i have never fallen off but now that i am getting to jumping i'm probably gonna fall of eventually so i'm just curious. i have heard its better to hold on and i have heard its better to let go. what do you think

i would think it is better to let go because you could hurt the horse, get trampled, or drug but in a book it said to try to hold on unless the horse bolts

thanx every1 i think if i just slide onto my feet (thats often the case) i'll just hang on if i can, but a more dramatic fall i think i'll let go

thanx every1 i think if i just slide onto my feet (thats often the case) i'll just hang on if i can, but a more dramatic fall i think i'll let go

Answer 1

IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER IF ITS JUMPING AS YOU WILL BE ILLIMINATED ANYWAY. IF IT IS CROSS COUNTRY THEN THATS UP 2 U IF UR HORSE IS EASY TO CATCH OR NOT. U REALLY CANT SAY WHAT U WOOD DO AS WEN IT HAPPENS YOULL JUST DO WHAT COMES NATURAL TO YOU.

Answer 2

The best plan is to have on a helmet! Next learn a technique for what to do to regain control quickly, ask a riding instructor, I don't think that I can or should try to explain it here. There are a few things to do when you find you have lost your balance while riding. If you cannot regain control through learned riding technique and you are going to come off for sure. Then let go of everything and if it's a western saddle try to push off the horn, because falling forward is the worst fall, you end up in front of the horse and there is the stepping on you bit. So either type of saddle push off to the back or lean your body back a little so that you fall off the back then the horse keeps going and there is little chance of being stepped on. This type of accident can be totally avoided as you have for two years. Just don't get on a horse that is beyond your level or ride one in a manner that is beyond your level.
Then still things will happen so you are right to be as prepared as you can. I practice what I learned as an emergency dismount. Even though I've ridden all of my life, I still practice the emergency dismount. Learn this and keep up your skill at this and you will avoid many an accident.
Falling off of a horse can be extremely dangerous even in the best possible scenario. Think of Christopher Reeves and Madonna. They both could clearly afford the best of all horses and trainers and yet they both were hurt badly. So always a helmet and always extreme caution. This is a risky sport full of fun and excitement, until it's not.

Answer 3

look i've been riding all my life and many a fall i have taken.. the most importent thing is not knowing which is best jumping off or not but knowing how to fall should you. you can't decide if its best to jump or not untill your gut tells you to.. i've only jumped once and that was cuz i had a yearling rear up and almost flip on me i was close enough to the fence to make a move so i grabbed on and let go. no matter what you do jumping or not (and just cuz you jump doesn't mean you can't get trampled... you might not land just where you wanted to) you have to know how to hit the ground so to speak. i would assume you haveto wear an helmet if you're jumping but even so if you can always try to cross your arms either over your head or across your chest. do this for two reasons one if helps cover to most vulnerable areas or your body and lower injury possabilities but also keeps you from trying to stop your fall with your hands wich normally ends up in a broken wrist or arm. then ofcource get back on that horse and keep riding.

Answer 4

Good Question Natural!
The books have a very good reason for asking you to keep hold of the reins after a fall. A loose horse can hurt itself careening into cars,other jumps,trample well intended people and more.
Your best bet is to practice a few emergency dismounts retaining the reins, so if you become unnaturally dismounted, you have a bit of practice. We all fall sooner or later, and the quicker you regain control of your horse the faster he calms down and keeps you both from harm. If your horse is racing back to its barn, its a sure sign there has been a fall and injury:expect a fuss to be made or at the minimum a long walk back.

Answer 5

I've taken my fair share of falls over the years, and I've always let go of the reins. It just seems safer to me - it's better for the horse to run away in an arena where you can catch him than for you to get trampled.

I've actually developed a way to fall off without hurting yourself lol. If you feel yourself losing balance and you're at the point where you know you're going to fall, don't try to stay on. Roll off the side of the horse and kind of just roll onto your back. I've done it many times, including on a runaway mule (lol!) and it's saved me from broken bones. It's actually something you can practice on a reliable horse in a round pen.

But obviously this isn't going to work every time, especially since things can happen in a second. But if you practice it enough, it comes naturally and can save you from injury.

But please, don't worry about falling off too much. I just thought I'd offer that as a suggestion. If you're fretting about "how" you're going to fall off while you're riding, you may get scared or lose focus on your riding. good luck on your jumping!

Answer 6

When you are in the air yes let go if you are still on the horses back and you think you are going to fall don't let go. Some horses like to run when people fall, that's how you break a finger or something worse.
My first fall was over a jump, but i was bareback so you know i couldn't get caught on anything. I have had many falls since then. Don't worry about falling off just don't hang on to the horse after you land. And try to remember every moment in the air and what you were thinking. Its funny because people ask was happened and you tell them how you opened your eyes and saw the horse turn to you and you think let go of the reins and you land. :) Its kind of cool.

Answer 7

Last summer I was riding a horse and it got out of control and started running way to fast through a very big field. I held on as best i could and try to stop it but it wouldnt. When we came to the end of the field I tried to turn it but it was going to fast and he wouldnt listen. I had to let go of the reins and take my feet out of the stirrups because I was falling. Then suddenly he stopped very fast.I went flying over his head and hit the ground. I was not seriously injured only a few bruises from my leg getting stuck on the horn.
From this experience , which wasnt that bad I have to say that it was better that I got of the horse before I could really be hurt. I know it sounds like i should have tried to control the horse more but I did try and he just wasnt trained enough. So get off the horse and get away when you can.

Answer 8

it depends on the situation, but if you fall off you probably want to let go of the reins. If you hold on and the horse keeps going, you might wind up getting dragged, or hurting the horse. And if your not seriously injured (a bruise is to be expected) you could get right back on if you want to.

Answer 9

Depends on where you are. If you're on a course where there's help, or it's fenced, just let go and roll out of the way so you don't get stomped. (Speaking from years of experience) It's easier to go catch your horse if you haven't been stomped on!

Answer 10

i don't know what type of saddle you use, but my son is a calf roper and has had some close calls.........if you are in a western type pleasure saddle and feel yourself starting to fall off grab the horn without letting go of the reigns. You stand a good chance of getting stepped on if you fall to the ground. If you can't regain your ballance and continue to fall try to role with your fall and get clear of the horse.......Good Luck with your riding and remember that horsemanship is next to Godliness........

Answer 11

I personally don't let go unless I've been knocked out and that onnly happened once. But I also know my horses quite well and they stop eventually. Use common sense if you feel in danger let go. And if you land off-balance and hang on you'll just be pulled down if you're going quickly.