Q: I saw someone on our yard dismount ‘cowboy fashion’ – ie, leave their left foot in the stirrup. Is this okay to do?
Horse&Rider answers: No, remove both feet from the stirrups or you run the risk of being dragged if the horse panics and bolts. Also, if you leave a foot in, you’re tipping your weight to one side, which puts strain on the horse’s back and saddle.
Only in extreme cases – eg, if you physically can’t dismount the usual way – should you use the one-foot method.
How much do you know about stereotypies? This is the scientific term for any repetitive behaviour. In horses, the most common are crib-biting, windsucking, weaving and box walking. In May Horse&Rider, Dr Debbie Marsden shares her advice for dealing with stereotypic behaviours. Check out a sneak peek here. www.horseandrideruk.com/the-magazine/issues/may-2024/force-of-habit/... See MoreSee Less