Re: another bad dismount

> on my second lesson, and I still didn't get the hang of the dismount
> and ended up on the floor almost head first and banged my back and
> head...it was a good job I had a helmet on...

Draw both reins up into the left hand, firmly grasp the pommel of the saddle
with your left hand (clutching the reins in same hand, along with your whip
if you carry one), take both feet out of the stirrups, swing your right leg
backwards and over the saddle and quarters whilst at the same time turning
to belly the saddle -- your right leg will swing over and drop into line
with your left leg and gravity does the rest ... ***But keeping a tight hold
of the pommel with your left hand will prevent you falling over when your
feet hit the ground!***

Important thing when falling over generally, and particularly when falling
from horseback height, is to try to make sure your head doesn't hit the
ground, or failing that, that your head is the last thing to hit the ground.
To this end I suggest you use whatever means are at your disposal to keep
your head off the ground, even hanging on tightly to the reins and drawing
them in towards your chest as you fall. I also suggest you find a local Judo
or Aikido club where you will be taught how to break your fall effectively,
and where you can practice repeatedly until it becomes second-nature. It may
save your life one day -- it's already saved mine.


.

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