If you have lost your stirrups, do your best to get them back. Having your feet planted in the stirrups helps with both balance and control of the horse. Try to relax your muscles, including your arms that are holding the reins. Let your body feel the rhythm of the running horse. Otherwise, you will bounce in and out of your saddle and may fall off the horse. [1] X Research source Leaning forward might give you better balance, but when you need real pulling power lean back slightly.
If there are cyclists, joggers, or other pedestrians nearby, scream “HORSE COMING! MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!” for a warning and do your best to steer your horse away from people or other obstacles. If you need to distract your horse for a second while you pass an object that you know will scare it, jiggle the reins roughly. Try to annoy him with the movement by flicking the reins excessively rather than yanking and encouraging resistance. Turn their head away slightly if you can.
Remember, jumping off can injure you. You will almost definitely have severe bruising and scraping, and you could break your arms, legs, or even your back or neck. You should only jump off of a horse if the risk of staying on is greater than the risk of jumping off.
Kick your feet out of the stirrups first, unwind the reins from your hand, and tumble. After you are off and in a safe place, you will have to find your horse.
Hold on tight, and put your body in a proper position for galloping.
Avoid downhill if you can. It is jarring and can unseat you, and can cause a horse to tumble.
Tighten the rein in your non-dominant hand so that it has no slack. Your hand should be centered on the horse’s main with your knuckles against the horse and the rein completely taut. This will prevent the horse from jerking his head away from you. Keeping a tight grip with your non-dominant hand, lean forward as far as you can on the horse’s neck and reach up on your dominant side and grab the rein as close to the horse’s mouth as you can reach. Pull back with your dominant hand as hard as you can, using all of your body weight and leaning back into the saddle. This pulls the horse’s head down and forces a stop. Ease your hold on the reins as soon as the horse stops or you risk the horse falling over and crushing you.
Shorten your inside rein dramatically and yank-yank-yank. Very Hard. Turn in the smallest circle you can manage, and when he sufficiently drunk step out of it on a tight rein.
Lean forward and grab an ear. Fold it and hold it. Don’t do this straight through (he might just stagger) hold a while (no more than five seconds should do it) release it for ten, hold it five and so forth.
Another rider can help you slow a runaway horse, or can get help if you are injured in a ride.
You should always ride a horse that is at your skill level, and you should get to know the horse and its personality before riding. Some horses startle easily or exaggerate their responses to a pull on the reins or a tap on the sides. [3] X Research source Riding a laid-back, well-tested horse is the safest way to avoid your horse bolting unexpectedly.
Attractive riding helmets are easy to find if you ride English style. While less common for Western-style riders, helmets are still important for safety; you can wear an English style helmet or another helmet approved for riding. Look for the letters ASTM-SEI, which indicates the helmet has been safety-approved. [5] X Research source
Hold the reins securely with one hand, and hold the saddle horn with your other hand. NEVER let go of the reins and horn while riding. Wearing riding gloves can increase your grip on the reins and make it less likely that they will slip from your grasp. [7] X Research source
Watch your surroundings for safe routes, avoiding areas that would be hazardous if your horse suddenly bolted (for example, avoid riding your horse near vehicular traffic or near cliff edges).
