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| I don't want to bring up this sore subject but think it's important. It may seem like a duh but I'm curious. Is it safer to emergency dismount or stay on a runaway horse? I guess it depends on the situation and if the gate is closed/unclosed but has anyone dealt with having to make this decision? I personally have not had to as my barrel racing career has been short, and I pray I never have to. I don't mean any disrespect to what's recently happened and I've been praying for the family and friends affected by this accident. From what I read it could've possibly been prevented. It's been weighing heavy on my mind and I feel it's important to talk about in case we ever did have to make this decision or were in a position that the arena wasn't safe. Like I said, I know it depends on the situation but I still wanted to talk about it and see what everyone thinks about it. | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
 
| My daughter took a dive off a runaway bucker who plowed into the fence. She was about 15 and was able to roll when she landed and did not get hurt. She said she felt him getting crazier, knew she could not get him back under control so decided to bale on her terms.
Edited by rodeomom3 2016-03-03 9:29 AM
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  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | I'm glad you brought this up because an incendent that happened to me in the early 80's made me NEVER use rubber bands ever again...if I need to bail (and I will, in a hurry) I don't want the rubber bands in any way stopping me!!
I was at the IPRA rodeo at Holdenville, OK, luckily at that time, they ran from the bucking chute end because they hadn't made a center alley yet....my cinch off strap came out of the buckle when I tightened my cinch (I didn't realize it) and as I turned the 1st barrel, my cinch fell down and nothing was holding my saddle on...now, I'm pretty athletic and I wanted to bail off but I couldn't because I couldn't kick my feet out of the rubber bands....lucky for me, this horse had high withers, but the saddle was moving way forward....my horse never quit running and on the way home, one of the chute guys ran out and grabbed my reins as I was trying to stop and put his hand on the saddle to push it back while I pulled the rubber bands off...lesson learned...no more rubber bands...EVER...if I get in a dangerous situation, I will bail ASAP...
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| When I was young and dumb, like 12 years old, we were walking home from school through our horse pasture and I got the bright idea to hop on my mare bitless and bareback. She ran around the 15 acre pasture like 3 or so times and was showing no signs of slowing down plus it was winter and she had a lot of hair. So I decided to bale close to the barbwire fence. I was fine, I dropped and rolled - right into the barbwire. I still have the scars on my arm. That was the only injury I got and they weren't bad because I hid them from my mom because I knew I would be in deep trouble if she found out, lol.
edited to add that if I were in a wreck at a barrel race, I don't know that I would have the presence of mind to bale.
Edited by GLP 2016-03-03 9:47 AM
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Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | rodeomom3 - 2016-03-03 9:26 AM My daughter took a dive off a runaway bucker who plowed into the fence. She was about 15 and was able to roll when she landed and did not get hurt. She said she felt him getting crazier, knew she could not get him back under control so decided to bale on her terms.
She did the right thing...I've had to bail off multiple bucking horses in my lifetime, if they don't unload me in 2 licks and they are still bucking, I bail...
I forgot to mention that I use the STI safety stirrups for just this reason, because I realize I've had many close calls in my life and I want to be prepared in the safest way I can, and I don't want to get hung up if I do have to bail...the stirrups are pricey, but worth it to me for piece of mind. There are other brands of breakaway stirrups, but these are foolproof and I think they are the best..so yes, to the OP, bailing off is something I think about and prepare for. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | I think it really depends on the situation. When I was a teenager my barrel horse had a tendancy to take the bit and run off. I remember one time he did it and we were headed to the barn. That side of the barn faced North and just had a very small opening then you had to turn and go thru a house type door. I baled off right before we got to the barn and he went thru the doors. It's scary though and happens really fast. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-03 9:49 AM
rodeomom3 - 2016-03-03 9:26 AM My daughter took a dive off a runaway bucker who plowed into the fence. She was about 15 and was able to roll when she landed and did not get hurt. She said she felt him getting crazier, knew she could not get him back under control so decided to bale on her terms.
She did the right thing...I've had to bail off multiple bucking horses in my lifetime, if they don't unload me in 2 licks and they are still bucking, I bail...
I forgot to mention that I use the STI safety stirrups for just this reason, because I realize I've had many close calls in my life and I want to be prepared in the safest way I can, and I don't want to get hung up if I do have to bail...the stirrups are pricey, but worth it to me for piece of mind. There are other brands of breakaway stirrups, but these are foolproof and I think they are the best..so yes, to the OP, bailing off is something I think about and prepare for.
I'm curious which style you personally use? Just took a look at these. Yes they're pricey but, I was drug once (not far and I didn't get hurt, but still) as a teenager. So is definitely be interested in a pair of these! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| I've baled twice, one because he was headed for barbwire and had no plans on stopping, which he didn't, and the other because my headstall broke and I knew if a started to step off he would start putting on the brakes, he slowed enough for someone to step in front of him and grab him and I was able to tuck and role. All the other times I rode it out or at least tried to ride it out. I've been taken out by tree limbs, corner posts, gates, other horses. I've been fortunate enough that I haven't had a serious injury even in some serious wrecks. Crazy things happen and in those moments it's hard to fight the urge to hold on, to be able to think and plan your exit or think of what possibilities of injury could happen. | |
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 On the Countdown
Posts: 2934
Location: Texas | I have bailed and will bail again if needed. I bailed off a horse bucking and, I was so out of position I made the choice. I screwed my shoulder up pretty badly but I think that was a better choice than riding him.
I have been on a run away, trying to get her to stop. I was younger and home by myself and in a pasture. I debated jumping ship on her also, but I finally got her stopped. I didn't have a cell phone so I would have laid there if I got hurt until someone came to find me.
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Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | MOGirl07 - 2016-03-03 9:58 AM Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-03 9:49 AM rodeomom3 - 2016-03-03 9:26 AM My daughter took a dive off a runaway bucker who plowed into the fence. She was about 15 and was able to roll when she landed and did not get hurt. She said she felt him getting crazier, knew she could not get him back under control so decided to bale on her terms. She did the right thing...I've had to bail off multiple bucking horses in my lifetime, if they don't unload me in 2 licks and they are still bucking, I bail...
I forgot to mention that I use the STI safety stirrups for just this reason, because I realize I've had many close calls in my life and I want to be prepared in the safest way I can, and I don't want to get hung up if I do have to bail...the stirrups are pricey, but worth it to me for piece of mind. There are other brands of breakaway stirrups, but these are foolproof and I think they are the best..so yes, to the OP, bailing off is something I think about and prepare for. I'm curious which style you personally use? Just took a look at these. Yes they're pricey but, I was drug once (not far and I didn't get hurt, but still ) as a teenager. So is definitely be interested in a pair of these!
I have the Visalia Bell style in the bleached rawhide 2 1/2" bottom...they are $520...I know, ouch!! But they look good, feel awesome, and I bet no one who has ever seen me can even guess that they are breakaway stirrups...you can't tell. I've had them for many years, and they were a little cheaper when I bought them.
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-03 10:31 AM
MOGirl07 - 2016-03-03 9:58 AM Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-03 9:49 AM rodeomom3 - 2016-03-03 9:26 AM My daughter took a dive off a runaway bucker who plowed into the fence. She was about 15 and was able to roll when she landed and did not get hurt. She said she felt him getting crazier, knew she could not get him back under control so decided to bale on her terms. She did the right thing...I've had to bail off multiple bucking horses in my lifetime, if they don't unload me in 2 licks and they are still bucking, I bail...
I forgot to mention that I use the STI safety stirrups for just this reason, because I realize I've had many close calls in my life and I want to be prepared in the safest way I can, and I don't want to get hung up if I do have to bail...the stirrups are pricey, but worth it to me for piece of mind. There are other brands of breakaway stirrups, but these are foolproof and I think they are the best..so yes, to the OP, bailing off is something I think about and prepare for. I'm curious which style you personally use? Just took a look at these. Yes they're pricey but, I was drug once (not far and I didn't get hurt, but still ) as a teenager. So is definitely be interested in a pair of these!
Thank you!! Definitely not cheap, but....I won't be riding much at all this year (pregnant and I just choose not to) so I have plenty of time to save! Baby's due in September so I should be able to save up and order these by the time I'm ok'ed to ride again. Do you mind if I ask how they've held up since you say you'd had them for several years? | |
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Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | As you can see, they have gotten scraped up getting too close to barrels, and I put vet wrap around the tread, but they still look really good and I've never had a single problem with them...the only time one popped open was when I hung the edge of the stirrup on the lip of the tack room opening, and it was very easy to put it back together, so I have complete confidence if a stirrup is torqued, it will breakaway instantly. p.s...I've had them about 10 years.
Edited by Cindy Hamilton 2016-03-03 10:46 AM
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Regular
Posts: 72
| I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| HollyFoster - 2016-03-03 10:52 AM
I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing.
I probably would have too! | |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | When i was a kid...i always baled off but he only ran away at home....i would never bale off now..be it a runaway or a bucker.....imo doing that sets up an already bad situation to be even worse. .....m | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1129
Location: OH-IO | HollyFoster - 2016-03-03 11:52 AM I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing.
Im with you, I would of done the same thing...My thoughts would have been to try to save my horse from getting hurt......... | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-03 10:44 AM
As you can see, they have gotten scraped up getting too close to barrels, and I put vet wrap around the tread, but they still look really good and I've never had a single problem with them...the only time one popped open was when I hung the edge of the stirrup on the lip of the tack room opening, and it was very easy to put it back together, so I have complete confidence if a stirrup is torqued, it will breakaway instantly. p.s...I've had them about 10 years.
They look great for having them that long! Thanks!  | |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I've been bucked off enough to know its hurts less to bail.
As far as a runaway goes, it would depend on if I felt I could eventually get stopped safely. I was riding a mare a few weeks ago in just a light side pull. She stuck out her nose, braced against me, and started running. Tried to pull her face around for a one rein stop. She pulled back. So I bailed. I have a daughter and a husband who depend on me. I'm better safe than sorry. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Bail off, but pick your side carefully. Do NOT bail off into a wall or a tree... Remember, it's not the fall that hurts, it's that sudden stop at the end of it.
Edited by komet. 2016-03-03 11:36 AM
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 Mature beyond Years
Posts: 10780
Location: North of the 49th Parallel | I bailed the other day when I felt a horse rearing and going over. I'm sure glad I was thinking quickly on this incident. I'm still sore as heck but that's better than what was the other option. I've bailed in the past, and yes, it hurts less than what the end result could be. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I've never had a horse that would run away, I have had horses hard to stop, but running them into a tree isn't hard to do. If the horse will actually hit it, well, it's going down the road because I don't ride idiots.
However, I have been in more barrel racing accidents than I can count over the years, and the only time I actually was afraid of what was going to happen was during a practice run, my horse fell at second and I got hung up (only time I wasn't wear rubber bands or a helmet BY THE WAY). Luckily, she had the presence of mind to not keep running, or I probably would not be here writing this. Anytime my horse falls, I normally get thrown away from the action of it, so I've never had to make the choice to bail when we get into trouble, it's usually made for me. | |
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Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | HollyFoster - 2016-03-03 10:52 AM I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing.
I agree...everything is reactionary and you absolutely have to depend on your muscle memory to allow you the time to react instantly, and if it's a situation where you have milliseconds to react, it will probably be too late, especially in a little building...you are from the 3rd barrel to the gate so fast that I can't think anyone could have reacted at all in that instance. | |
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 Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | ~BINGO~ - 2016-03-03 11:26 AM I've been bucked off enough to know its hurts less to bail. As far as a runaway goes, it would depend on if I felt I could eventually get stopped safely. I was riding a mare a few weeks ago in just a light side pull. She stuck out her nose, braced against me, and started running. Tried to pull her face around for a one rein stop. She pulled back. So I bailed. I have a daughter and a husband who depend on me. I'm better safe than sorry.
+1
If I have a runaway, I will try to get them shut down with one-rein stops or large circles. I have one that won't respond to that but does respond to me kicking him (enough to knock his breath away) and basically spurring him to go faster that causes him to snap out of the dash, clear his tiny brain and be like "WTF? This is my crazy, not yours!" I only do this in an open area (we have many at the house) and I will not let him stop running until he's about to pass out. As I'm sure you guessed, we don't do this very often -- took one or two mishaps to make a point with him.
When I don't have control of the reins, that's a different story. I'm more likely to bail if the horse is unresponsive to any cue -- legs, voice, seat change, etc. -- in addition to being in more of a flight than staying and thinking fight response. When a horse isn't concerned for their own safety, it's a cue to bail when they are the ones with the reins.
*** I will say if you are thinking/planning an emergency escape for if this happens, try to do so before you get near the fence/gate/chutes because there is usually someone who will put their hands up and try to wave the horse to stop or otherwise stay out of danger that can pop up from no where. You don't want to be bailing before the gate, have someone come running up with waving arms and have the horse spook back on you when you are trying to hit the dirt without injury.
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Member
Posts: 13
| Chasincans001 - 2016-03-03 11:04 AM
HollyFoster - 2016-03-03 11:52 AM I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing.
Im with you, I would of done the same thing...My thoughts would have been to try to save my horse from getting hurt.........
Lara was a tough cowgirl. I saw her have a really bad wreck in the alley at the Lake Charles PRCA rodeo several years ago. They alley did not have panels all the way to the end (another safety failure) so there was nothing to keep the horses from the very slick concrete on the side. The girl before Lara hit a barrel but since it is such a long alley and you can't hear anything, Lara turned the corner and headed down the alley full speed. The judge was standing there waving for her to stop and she couldn't so she pulled her horse to the side and since there was nothing there to stop her, right onto the slick concrete. The horse went down in a flurry of sparks and Lara fell to the side. When the horse regained its feet, she led it back into the alley, hopped on and made her run.
I have had the same thing happen that happened to Lara. It was the most scared I have ever been on a horse. I was lucky there was someone there that played pickup man and was able to stop my horse just before it made it into the parking lot. You want to say you would bail but things happen so fast and that horse is moving so fast that even for an old goat tyer like me, stepping off is hard to do.
I pray something good comes from this tragedy and pray for the family and friends that were affected. | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I have only bailed once, thought about it many times but couldnt bring myself to do it LOL... the one I did was a bucker headed for barbwire and I was already out of position. However, I like the option to. I have a good friends Grandpa get in a situation, entered the arena and his bit broke, right in the middle, right as he took off. He was rubber banded and his horse headed right for the drag that was in the end of the arena. Luckily that mare stopped and that guy knows that mare so well. But it could have been a disaster.
I have had a rein break breezing in the field and always reached up and grabbed a bridle, tie down or whatever they had on. However, I dont know how safe that is either because I had to lean forward quite a ways to get ahold of it which I am sure threw them off balance.
It was such a tragedy and I just hope they make some safety measures as far as closed gate to avoid this type of stuff. | |
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 Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | Good topic -- last week I was skimming a book I'd just got at an estate sale - Horse Follow Closely.
If any of you have seen it, it's not just a picture book. The only information I did stop to read more of when I was skimming, though, was of an Indian explaining how to safely fall off a horse. Something I've never came across instructions for, but really seems important!
I just googled this topic and there are lots of articles - even videos.
I bailed one time and thought I was in the clear, I should've tried harder, because he came down on my wrist that I could've pulled back out of the way.
Two other times, when my horse is going down during a run, I've catapulted as far as away as I could, instead of trying to hold on, but I really could have benefitted from how to do so more gracefully/effectively.
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| HollyFoster - 2016-03-03 10:52 AM I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing.
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Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | HollyFoster - 2016-03-03 10:52 AM I would have made the same decision Lara made in the same situation - ground conditions (over half of the places paid at this pro rodeo were paid on hit barrels, hmmmm?, my niece was one of them), small arena/alley set up (no time to react past your initial instincts before you hit pavement at the end of a narrow open alley), riding a horse you trust and are familiar with (she's currently ranked in the top 50 of the WPRA 2016 standings with over $5000 won on this horse). I don't wear a helmet either. Every horse, rider AND situation is different. Given the blessing of a split second more time, a rider has to be experienced enough to make that call in THAT particular set of circumstances in that time frame. God bless Lara, her fiance, family, friends and especially her young son who all wish she had had more options. I pray the rest of us never experience that situation, what ever decision we decide to make without adrenaline flowing.
When I bailed I had time to think about it. A situation like this there just wouldn't have been any time. In my opinion, it would be a tribute to Lara if they made changes to those types of setups. Think about the many times you see bareback and bronc riders and sometimes even calf ropers get in a jam but things are contained and people can get in there to help. | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-03 9:49 AM rodeomom3 - 2016-03-03 9:26 AM My daughter took a dive off a runaway bucker who plowed into the fence. She was about 15 and was able to roll when she landed and did not get hurt. She said she felt him getting crazier, knew she could not get him back under control so decided to bale on her terms. She did the right thing...I've had to bail off multiple bucking horses in my lifetime, if they don't unload me in 2 licks and they are still bucking, I bail...
I forgot to mention that I use the STI safety stirrups for just this reason, because I realize I've had many close calls in my life and I want to be prepared in the safest way I can, and I don't want to get hung up if I do have to bail...the stirrups are pricey, but worth it to me for piece of mind. There are other brands of breakaway stirrups, but these are foolproof and I think they are the best..so yes, to the OP, bailing off is something I think about and prepare for.
I've only jumped off one bucker, but I was glad I did. He had already dumped me on my head once. When I started getting loose and he showed no signs of weakening, I decided bailing was better than flying off face-first again, and was able to land on my feet. He wasn't one to send you out the back door, you were going over the front.
The other horse I've jumped off of was because he got a buffalo gnat in his ear and went crazy. I was afraid he was going to flip because that poor horse was absolutely out of his mind. So I stepped off, and he got away from me and ran off through the woods into the great unknown...with my brand new Martin saddle. I never did figure out where all he went, last I saw him he was headed for the neighbor's CRP. He came home after a little while. Still running. Ran to the barn, skidded on concrete, crashed into my daughter's tricycle (destroyed it), and fell down. He was a little skinned up, but my saddle was fine. | |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Red Raider - 2016-03-03 11:50 AM
~BINGO~ - 2016-03-03 11:26 AM I've been bucked off enough to know its hurts less to bail. As far as a runaway goes, it would depend on if I felt I could eventually get stopped safely. I was riding a mare a few weeks ago in just a light side pull. She stuck out her nose, braced against me, and started running. Tried to pull her face around for a one rein stop. She pulled back. So I bailed. I have a daughter and a husband who depend on me. I'm better safe than sorry.
+1
If I have a runaway, I will try to get them shut down with one-rein stops or large circles. I have one that won't respond to that but does respond to me kicking him (enough to knock his breath away) and basically spurring him to go faster that causes him to snap out of the dash, clear his tiny brain and be like "WTF? This is my crazy, not yours!" I only do this in an open area (we have many at the house) and I will not let him stop running until he's about to pass out. As I'm sure you guessed, we don't do this very often -- took one or two mishaps to make a point with him.
When I don't have control of the reins, that's a different story. I'm more likely to bail if the horse is unresponsive to any cue -- legs, voice, seat change, etc. -- in addition to being in more of a flight than staying and thinking fight response. When a horse isn't concerned for their own safety, it's a cue to bail when they are the ones with the reins.
*** I will say if you are thinking/planning an emergency escape for if this happens, try to do so before you get near the fence/gate/chutes because there is usually someone who will put their hands up and try to wave the horse to stop or otherwise stay out of danger that can pop up from no where. You don't want to be bailing before the gate, have someone come running up with waving arms and have the horse spook back on you when you are trying to hit the dirt without injury.
That is what I was trying to explain to my daughter the other day when her horse took off with her... I told her you "quit riding him" and grabbed the horn and proceeded to cry... she had plenty of room to run the snot outta him.. he isn't fast at all... it literally looked like he was at a high lope coming back towards the house with her bawling... he wasn't gonna stop but trust me he sure wouldn't have wanted to keep going had she stuck her spurs into him. He's super lazy and just wanted to come home he stopped with her when he got to the trailer. She learned a pretty valuable lesson that day and I'm glad it was without incident other than her ego getting hurt.
Edited by want2chase3 2016-03-03 1:21 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| Thank you for all the responses, and keep them comin. I want to add that in no way am I criticizing Lara's decision. No matter what decision she would've chosen, there was very little time to make a choice and there's just not when you have to make a split decision like that in a small amount of time. I don't know what I would've picked or if I even would've had time to think about one had I been in her situation. I've dealt with bucking horses, but nothing to where I couldn't stop it. That's why I wanted to bring this up because I'd rather be somewhat prepared and was wondering generally what others do. It's such a shame that there wasn't a gate/gate shut...I've been thinking about it a lot and praying. Those stirrups, though pricey, are something to consider too. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Things happen so fast and accidents happen, I have never been one to bale off I always rode it out if I could. | |
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Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | want2chase3 - 2016-03-03 12:53 PM Red Raider - 2016-03-03 11:50 AM ~BINGO~ - 2016-03-03 11:26 AM I've been bucked off enough to know its hurts less to bail. As far as a runaway goes, it would depend on if I felt I could eventually get stopped safely. I was riding a mare a few weeks ago in just a light side pull. She stuck out her nose, braced against me, and started running. Tried to pull her face around for a one rein stop. She pulled back. So I bailed. I have a daughter and a husband who depend on me. I'm better safe than sorry. +1
If I have a runaway, I will try to get them shut down with one-rein stops or large circles. I have one that won't respond to that but does respond to me kicking him (enough to knock his breath away) and basically spurring him to go faster that causes him to snap out of the dash, clear his tiny brain and be like "WTF? This is my crazy, not yours!" I only do this in an open area (we have many at the house) and I will not let him stop running until he's about to pass out. As I'm sure you guessed, we don't do this very often -- took one or two mishaps to make a point with him.
When I don't have control of the reins, that's a different story. I'm more likely to bail if the horse is unresponsive to any cue -- legs, voice, seat change, etc. -- in addition to being in more of a flight than staying and thinking fight response. When a horse isn't concerned for their own safety, it's a cue to bail when they are the ones with the reins.
*** I will say if you are thinking/planning an emergency escape for if this happens, try to do so before you get near the fence/gate/chutes because there is usually someone who will put their hands up and try to wave the horse to stop or otherwise stay out of danger that can pop up from no where. You don't want to be bailing before the gate, have someone come running up with waving arms and have the horse spook back on you when you are trying to hit the dirt without injury.
That is what I was trying to explain to my daughter the other day when her horse took off with her... I told her you "quit riding him" and grabbed the horn and proceeded to cry... she had plenty of room to run the snot outta him.. he isn't fast at all... it literally looked like he was at a high lope coming back towards the house with her bawling... he wasn't gonna stop but trust me he sure wouldn't have wanted to keep going had she stuck her spurs into him. He's super lazy and just wanted to come home he stopped with her when he got to the trailer. She learned a pretty valuable lesson that day and I'm glad it was without incident other than her ego getting hurt.
Lol -- that's good she learned. I forgot to mention in my post that spurring them on only works with a horse who has a sense of self-preservation and will reach his limit when he goes long enough.
My first time having to try something like this was with a pony of ours when we were younger. He was a bigger quarter/welsh pony who would always get on the muscle going back to the barn when we were out checking cattle on wheat pasture or just riding in the back 40 of the section. After fighting with him for months on keeping him from being a runaway, my mom finally told me one day to just let him run, spur him to go as fast as he could and when we got to the barn to go through the pens and to our roping arena. When we got there, she told me to keep running him in circles along the arena fence till he was panting and sweating pretty hard or the rest of the crew finally made it in. I did just that and it's the only thing that made his attitude change about running/running away back to the barn and to stop fighting us about it.
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Red Raider - 2016-03-03 4:28 PM
want2chase3 - 2016-03-03 12:53 PM Red Raider - 2016-03-03 11:50 AM ~BINGO~ - 2016-03-03 11:26 AM I've been bucked off enough to know its hurts less to bail. As far as a runaway goes, it would depend on if I felt I could eventually get stopped safely. I was riding a mare a few weeks ago in just a light side pull. She stuck out her nose, braced against me, and started running. Tried to pull her face around for a one rein stop. She pulled back. So I bailed. I have a daughter and a husband who depend on me. I'm better safe than sorry. +1
If I have a runaway, I will try to get them shut down with one-rein stops or large circles. I have one that won't respond to that but does respond to me kicking him (enough to knock his breath away) and basically spurring him to go faster that causes him to snap out of the dash, clear his tiny brain and be like "WTF? This is my crazy, not yours!" I only do this in an open area (we have many at the house) and I will not let him stop running until he's about to pass out. As I'm sure you guessed, we don't do this very often -- took one or two mishaps to make a point with him.
When I don't have control of the reins, that's a different story. I'm more likely to bail if the horse is unresponsive to any cue -- legs, voice, seat change, etc. -- in addition to being in more of a flight than staying and thinking fight response. When a horse isn't concerned for their own safety, it's a cue to bail when they are the ones with the reins.
*** I will say if you are thinking/planning an emergency escape for if this happens, try to do so before you get near the fence/gate/chutes because there is usually someone who will put their hands up and try to wave the horse to stop or otherwise stay out of danger that can pop up from no where. You don't want to be bailing before the gate, have someone come running up with waving arms and have the horse spook back on you when you are trying to hit the dirt without injury.
That is what I was trying to explain to my daughter the other day when her horse took off with her... I told her you "quit riding him" and grabbed the horn and proceeded to cry... she had plenty of room to run the snot outta him.. he isn't fast at all... it literally looked like he was at a high lope coming back towards the house with her bawling... he wasn't gonna stop but trust me he sure wouldn't have wanted to keep going had she stuck her spurs into him. He's super lazy and just wanted to come home he stopped with her when he got to the trailer. She learned a pretty valuable lesson that day and I'm glad it was without incident other than her ego getting hurt.
My first time having to try something like this was with a pony of ours when we were younger. He was a bigger quarter/welsh pony who would always get on the muscle going back to the barn when we were out checking cattle on wheat pasture or just riding in the back 40 of the section. After fighting with him for months on keeping him from being a runaway, my mom finally told me one day to just let him run, spur him to go as fast as he could and when we got to the barn to go through the pens and to our roping arena. When we got there, she told me to keep running him in circles along the arena fence till he was panting and sweating pretty hard or the rest of the crew finally made it in. I did just that and it's the only thing that made his attitude change about running/running away back to the barn and to stop fighting us about it.
Agreed... her little horse has loads of self preservation in him lol! He just decided he'd had enough riding down there and she got complacent, he seized the opportunity too. He hardly looked like a true runaway, I didn't figure out she was in trouble until I heard the crying, before that I was fixing to holler at her for letting him lope back towards the trailer because that's his favorite place to be. | |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Southtxponygirl - 2016-03-03 1:01 PM
Things happen so fast and accidents happen, I have never been one to bale off I always rode it out if I could.
This is me - all of my "involuntary dismounts" have totally not been by choice! I had my mare buck so hard with me, my stocking cap came off and about one more jump I would have been down but I just don't like eating dirt! I guess I did jump off one that was rearing - or more, I stepped off and that horse found a new zip code! | |
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 Life Saver
Posts: 10477
Location: MT | I've been hurt when I stayed on a runaway. And I've been hurt when I bailed.
I really don't think there is a "right" answer, it is all situation dependant. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | ruggedchica - 2016-03-04 9:22 AM I've been hurt when I stayed on a runaway. And I've been hurt when I bailed.
I really don't think there is a "right" answer, it is all situation dependant.
Agreed. Each situation is so unique and unless someone is in that situation on that exact horse, exact time, etc. you have no idea how you'd react (not directed at any particular person).
I've bailed and been fine and I've bailed and gotten hurt. Likewise I've stayed on and been fine and stayed on and been hurt. The last runaway I was on I chose to stay on and all ended up being well but I can't say I will or won't in the future. It truly depends on your thought process at the time.
But with that said, I do think everyone should at least know the emergency dismount so in the case they do feel like bailing then they can do it properly to hopefully minimize injuries. | |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Griz - 2016-03-04 5:31 AM
Southtxponygirl - 2016-03-03 1:01 PM
Things happen so fast and accidents happen, I have never been one to bale off I always rode it out if I could.
This is me - all of my "involuntary dismounts" have totally not been by choice! I had my mare buck so hard with me, my stocking cap came off and about one more jump I would have been down but I just don't like eating dirt! I guess I did jump off one that was rearing - or more, I stepped off and that horse found a new zip code!
Same here the dismounts I did have were not voluntary, lol not my ideal at all, dont like hitting the ground either so I try not to hit the ground if possible. But anybody that has rode most of their lives know that its going to happen a few times. I did step off one of my gelding's that has reared with me and wont ride that out..Has done it a few times so he's in the retriement pasture. | |
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | I'm pretty sure my first instinct is to bale. I was long trotting my colt the other day and ponying my other. The lead rope got under his tail and I baled immediately. I know it would be hard to bale from a runaway but I think I would...so glad I've decided to wear a helmet from now on. I think having a helmet will make the decision to bale easier if I'm ever in that situation. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1525
| I think it just depends. I have an older horse that used to buck quite a bit, only between the first two barrels...and I would ride him threw it, despite how rank he was because he needed the bluff to be called.
BUT I have had younger horses, that dont usually have bucking issues and if I cant pull them up by the third or fourth jump I usually just kick my stirrups and bale....if they dont really know how to buck then I try not to stay on them long enough to teach them. Immediately get back on and then work them right after. I feel like it breaks their momentum at the time.
BUT as far as having a wreck...a horse falling, losing my reins, reins flipping over head and falling, and riding one back up. I think considering that I have the time to think that quickly, and sometimes you just dont...sometimes youre dazed...as I have been in a few wrecks...It just depends on which horse I am riding. I have a big sorrel that have ridden on the way back up after a nasty fall...and reins flipped over his head, and know that he is the type that gets scared and stops...not bolts. I havent had any wrecks on my colt, but I think I would try and ride out most situations with him. I do have one that other than bucking, I will bail for pretty much anything as far as a wreck goes. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| Ive never had the opportunity to bail. I had one incident where my mare wasn't use to an alley way and we were headed home. She made the executive decision to circle out right before the alley way. I ended up superman-ing it into livestock panels. That was a trip to the hospital. The other incident I had, my horse decided to run up the wall on the first barrel. When he did it, he pivoted and it threw me off the side of the saddle. I was dragged about 20 ft down a cement wall. He came to a stop. I walked away from that one.
*What about stopping straight at the end of the run or circling out? In our area, 99% of the arenas do not have an alley. Ive seen so many accidents and 1 death from stopping straight into the fence. I like to circle out to give the horse a chance to slow down and not to stress out tendons.
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| I had one horse run away with me in an arena, never thought about bailing. I got that sucker stopped and he was gone the next week. Mine all stop when I say whoa. That has kept me from getting hurt more than once. "Whoa" is the favorite word for my whole crew. | |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| The only time I have ever bailed I did not get to make the choice.
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | I have bailed once. My horses all are trained to stop or slow up when you get on the side of them. I broke a headstall and finished my run, but stepped to the side in the alley. I lost my footing, but he stopped before we had a major issue.
Another safety measure I try to instill in my horses when we run barrels is to immediately slow when you hit the alley. I never push my horses through the alley on the way out. I am lucky enough to have horses that stop and stop straight when they are asked. It might not be a pretty slide, but it is a stop.
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Too busy outside!
Posts: 5417
| I think the answer to this would depend on the experience of the rider and the rider knowing what they can handle and what they can't. I've ridden through some and I've bailed off some- the ones I bail from are those who I know are out of their minds and have no sense of saving themselves let alone me. The ones I stay on are the ones who are just being ornery and trying to see what they can get away with this time. I've had a barrel horse slip on the pattern and throw the reins over his head- but since the gate was closed, I just let him run around the pen until he decided to stop- but if the gate was open and he was headed out to God knows where I would bail as fast as I could- | |
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| One thing missing in todays training is a simple safety factor for brand new colts
being started or for old saddle horses ..
All horses used to be trained to come to a screaming halt when they felt the rider
shift their weight as if to dismount or lost their seat ... this was instilled in the
first days of training and enforced as years went by ...
I have stood up in one stirrup with leg lifted over cantle and been slung so far
it took me an hour to walk back ... lol ..
The only thing I never trained under western saddle not to stop running ...
were a few hazing horses ... lol
Just play like you are going to train a calf roping horse and do it to both sides
of the horse ... you will never regret having taught emergency stop to your horses.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 421
Location: Texas!! | A few years ago, I was running my mare and she stumbled at the 1st barrel and my reins went over her head. Luckily she ran up the fence toward the 3rd barrel instead of the alley. So I had time to react. She is a tall mare, but has a short neck. So I was able to reach her headstall by her cheek and pull her head around and she stopped and I got off. Had she ran towards the alley, I don't know what I would of done.... | |
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