diff --git a/src/timeout.c b/src/timeout.c
index 36dd27076..dee2509f7 100644
--- a/src/timeout.c
+++ b/src/timeout.c
@@ -1175,14 +1175,23 @@ slip_or_trip(void)
                     an(mons[otmp->corpsenm].pmnames[NEUTRAL]));
             instapetrify(gk.killer.name);
         }
-    } else if (rn2(3) && is_ice(u.ux, u.uy)) {
+    } else if ((HFumbling & FROMOUTSIDE) || (is_ice(u.ux, u.uy) && !rn2(3))) {
+        /* is fumbling from ice alone? */
+        boolean ice_only = !(EFumbling || (HFumbling & ~FROMOUTSIDE));
+
         pline("%s %s%s on the ice.",
-              u.usteed ? upstart(x_monnam(u.usteed,
-                                      (has_mgivenname(u.usteed)) ? ARTICLE_NONE
-                                                                 : ARTICLE_THE,
-                                      (char *) 0, SUPPRESS_SADDLE, FALSE))
+              u.usteed ? upstart(x_monnam(u.usteed, ARTICLE_THE, (char *) 0,
+                                          SUPPRESS_SADDLE, FALSE))
                        : "You",
               rn2(2) ? "slip" : "slide", on_foot ? "" : "s");
+        /* fumbling outside of ice while mounted always causes the hero to
+           fall from the saddle, so to avoid a counterintuitive effect where
+           ice makes riding _less_ hazardous, unconditionally dismount if
+           fumbling is from a non-ice source */
+        if (!on_foot && (!ice_only || !rn2(3))) {
+            You("lose your balance.");
+            dismount_steed(DISMOUNT_FELL);
+        }
     } else {
         if (on_foot) {
             switch (rn2(4)) {