The greatest danger when horseback riding is getting your feet caught in the stirrups after falling off the horse—this is called "being hung up." So, how can you prevent this?
1. Do not put on or take off clothes while on the horse, as it may startle the horse.
2. When a horse defecates or is hungry, its belly shrinks, loosening the girth. Always check the girth to ensure it’s very tight to prevent the saddle from slipping and causing you to fall. If the girth is loose, ask the groom or staff for help, or tighten it yourself. If you can’t manage it, lead the horse instead. Before ascending or descending steep slopes, dismount to check or gently sway side to side on the horse to see if the saddle has loosened.
3. Always mount the horse from the left side, as horses are not accustomed to people approaching their right side. If the ground on the left is lower, turn the horse’s head around—it will be easier to mount and prevent the saddle from slipping due to over-pulling caused by the low ground, which could make you fall.
4. As long as you are on the horse, no matter the situation, hold the reins tightly. Horses may suddenly bolt for various reasons, but if you have a firm grip on the reins, you won’t fall off.
5. Don’t insert your foot too far into the stirrup—only use the front half of your foot to avoid getting caught. Keep your shoelaces loose enough so that if you do fall, your shoes come off rather than keeping your feet stuck in the stirrups.
6. Have the groom or yourself adjust the stirrup length to feel just right—otherwise, your legs may hurt or chafe. Shift your position on the horse frequently—don’t stay in one posture to avoid buttock pain. (This often happens to first-time riders.)
7. When going uphill, lean forward and grip the front of the saddle; when going downhill, lean back and hold the rear of the saddle. On steep slopes, trust your horse—it has four hooves and will choose its own pace. (Don’t let the horse run downhill, as its front legs are weaker than the back ones. Additionally, the quality of horses available for rent in the wild varies greatly, especially if it’s your first time and you don’t know the horse well. This can be very dangerous and may easily lead to the horse stumbling.)
8. When a horse passes through dense woods, it only considers its own height, so you may get scratched by branches. You must control it to prevent it from entering thick woods, or you must crouch down. (Don’t just look down while riding—just like driving, keep your vision far ahead, choose the horse’s route in advance, and avoid areas near trees, bushes, ditches, or drop-offs.)
9. While riding, try to keep your back straight and avoid slouching habitually, as this can cause fatigue and injury. (A friend of mine developed a herniated disc after four hours of continuous riding due to habitual slouching—the main cause was incorrect posture and uneven weight distribution.)
Additionally:
1. Do not let the horse eat grass or drink water while walking. If the horse stops to graze, pull the reins with all your strength to cause it maximum discomfort, keeping its head high for a while. After a few times, it won’t dare to graze again. Use a whip to strike its neck and hindquarters firmly to make it move faster.
2. If the horse panics and bolts, don’t be afraid—it will slow down soon, and its speed and stamina are limited. Pull hard on both ends of the reins and quickly jerk them left and right to make the bit grind against the horse’s mouth. At the same time, squeeze the horse’s belly with your legs (this is the signal to stop—remember, you can also use this normally). If you still can’t stop it, pull one rein to make the horse spin in circles. (When riding outdoors, unless there’s an emergency, avoid sudden bursts of speed or abrupt stops. Remember, a horse isn’t a machine—it can’t stop immediately when you pull the reins and needs some braking distance.)
3. Don’t approach the horse’s rear—it may kick or bite. Stroke its neck more often to build rapport. (I’ve been kicked myself—I walked behind another horse while mounted... luckily, it only kicked my shoe.)
4. After dismounting, don’t let go of the reins or hand them to someone else—if you do, the horse may wander off.
5. To turn the horse, pull the reins left or right; to stop, squeeze the horse’s belly with your legs while pulling the reins.
6. Don’t ride horses that are too young or too old—they lack stamina and are more likely to throw you off.
7. Horses rented in the wild may initially be unruly. You can use a whip (or even a tree branch if no whip is available) to “discipline” them, but never whip them wildly without holding the reins tightly—that can make the horse uncontrollable.
8. Personal gear: hiking shoes or waterproof field leather shoes, a sweater or fleece jacket, long-sleeved shirt and pants (preferably thick trousers).
In short, for beginners, safety comes first—but don’t be overly nervous and stiff, as that can actually increase the risk of falling. Ride with a relaxed posture, don’t pull the reins too tightly or leave them too loose, and maintain good control over the horse. That way, you can enjoy the thrill of riding while staying safe.