The Prophet ﷺ met them (i.e. the people) while he was riding an unsaddled horse with his sword slung over his shoulder.  

عَنْ أَنَسٍ ؓ اسْتَقْبَلَهُمُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَى فَرَسٍ عُرْىٍ مَا عَلَيْهِ سَرْجٌ فِي عُنُقِهِ سَيْفٌ