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 Expert
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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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