[RC] Off-side mounting and dismounting - Dyane Smith
I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get a
mountain horse used to both sides. Sun and I were up on a wickedly narrow
trail in the Angeles forest one time. We came to a place were the trail
went down to about 6" (from maybe 2 1/2'). I couldn't tell whether the
trail had broken away or if it was just sand that had slid down over it. I
decided to get off and go in front to scuff the trail to see. The only
side available to get off was the uphill (off-side). Downhill I could see
the canyon floor 500' below my stirrup. When I got off, I slid on the sand
and ended up under my horse, who stood like a statue while I crawled out between
his front legs. (Never hurts to have a horse that is used to stupid rider
tricks and who is fundamentally a survivor.)
Trail turned out to just have a heap of sand on
it. Otherwise, neither I nor my friend riding behind me would be
around to tell the story.
