Equestrian 101: (ii) Dismounting a Horse

To dismount from a horse or pony, first remove both feet from the stirrups. Then hold the reins in the left hand while holding the pommel of the saddle. In one flowing movement, lean forward, lift the right leg and swing it over the horse's hindquarters (being careful not to kick the horse in the process), and land on the ground beside the horse.

Once you have dismounted, take the stirrup leather and slide the iron up the back part of the leather and then take the folded bottom end of the leather and pass it through the centre of the iron so that it falls behind it. This prevents the stirrup iron from falling and knocking against the horse.

Then reward your horse by lifting up the saddle flap and loosening the girth by one or two holes.