Mounting 2

Spring up using the left leg to push you up rather than pulling with the right arm which puts a lot of strain on the saddle and the horse's back.

The right leg is then swung over the saddle trying not to hit the horse's hindquarters in the process.

Try and lower yourself gently into the saddle, sit upright, and now place the right foot in its stirrup and breathe a sigh of relief. At the same time you need to 'gather up' your reins, which means take up the slack so that you have some control of the horse's mouth. Don't worry too much about this as someone will usually be holding your horse for you for the first few times.

During your first few goes at mounting you will probably make a complete fool of yourself. You'll catch your leg on the horse's back; you'll fail to get enough spring and not make it up into the saddle, and you'll thump down in the saddle. Do not worry, everyone who rides has done this. I still have the less than perfect mount.

Do not be put off, it will get easier as the muscles in your legs develop to give you more power and your co-ordination improves.

Next - step 3.