The greatest danger when horseback riding is getting your foot caught in the stirrup after falling off the horse. 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. Therefore, always check that the girth is 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 do it, lead the horse instead. Before going up or down steep slopes, dismount to check or gently sway left and right on the horse to see if the saddle has loosened.
3. Always mount the horse from its left side, as horses are not accustomed to people approaching from the right. If the ground on the left is low, you must turn the horse’s head so it’s easier to mount and to avoid pulling too hard on the saddle due to the low ground, which could cause it to slip and make you fall.
4. As long as you are on the horse, no matter the situation, hold the reins tightly, because the horse may suddenly bolt for various reasons. If you hold the reins firmly, you won’t fall off.
5. Do not put your foot too far into the stirrup; use only the front half of your foot to avoid getting caught. Keep your shoelaces loose enough so that if you fall, your shoe comes off and doesn’t get stuck in the stirrup.
6. Have the groom or yourself adjust the stirrup length to feel just right; otherwise, your legs may hurt or chafe. Constantly shift your position on the horse and avoid staying in one posture to prevent soreness in the buttocks. (This often happens to beginners.)
7. When going uphill, lean forward slightly and grip the front of the saddle; when going downhill, lean back and hold the back of the saddle. On steep slopes, trust your horse—it has four hooves and will choose its own pace. (Do not let the horse run downhill, as its front legs are weaker than its hind legs. Also, 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 avoid 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 uneven ground.)
9. While riding, try to keep your back straight and avoid slouching habitually, as it can cause fatigue and injury. (A friend of mine once developed a herniated disc after riding for four hours continuously because of habitual slouching, mainly due to poor 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 might to cause it maximum discomfort, keeping its head high for a long time. After a few times, it won’t dare to lower its head to graze. Use a whip to hit its neck and buttocks hard to make it move faster.
2. If the horse panics and bolts, don’t be afraid—the horse will slow down soon, and its speed and stamina are limited. Pull hard on both ends of the reins and quickly move 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 just one rein to make the horse spin in circles. (When riding in the wild, unless there’s an emergency, don’t make the horse run or stop abruptly. Remember, a horse isn’t a machine—it can’t stop instantly when you pull the reins; there’s always a braking distance.)
3. Do not approach the rear of the horse—some horses may kick or bite. Pet the horse’s neck more often to communicate with it. (I’ve been kicked before—when I walked behind another horse while mounted... luckily, it only kicked my shoe.)
4. After dismounting, do not let go of the reins or hand them to someone else, or the horse may wander off.
5. To turn the horse, pull the reins left or right; to stop the horse, squeeze its belly with your legs while pulling the reins.
6. Do not ride horses that are too young or too old—they lack stamina and may easily throw you off.
7. Horses rented in the wild may be unruly at first. You can use a whip (or even a tree branch if no whip is available) to “discipline” them, but never whip the horse wildly without holding the reins tightly, as it may cause the horse to lose control.
8. Personal gear: hiking shoes or waterproof field leather shoes, a sweater or fleece jacket, long-sleeved shirt and pants (thick trousers).
In short, for beginners, safety is the top priority. But don’t be overly nervous and stiff, as that can also lead to falling off. Relax your posture appropriately while riding—don’t hold the reins too tightly or too loosely—and maintain as much control over the horse as possible. That way, you can enjoy the thrill of horseback riding while staying safe.