Ridecamp: [RC] Bailing off a runaway horse

A few years ago I was riding my neurotic gelding with some friends. ?A dog came out of nowhere and barreled down on us at full speed while barking. ?My horse paused for a brief second and then took off at top speed. ?He passed the people we were trail riding with. ?I stayed on until he swerved to go right at the crossing trail, it was only about 50 yards to a busy major highway. ?I knew there was no way to stop him in time so I bailed off, making sure to keep a tight grip on the reins. ?I hit the ground hard and rolled, still holding on to the reins because I did not want him to get hit by a car. ?He dragged me for a little bit and then stopped. ?I escaped with his life, bruises, a bloody lip and a mouth full of dirt. ?If I hadn't bailed he would have surely ran out into the road. ?So in this case bailing off was a good thing. 
Pamela 
and Mazzy Star (who is closer to the ground than Pam's last horse)