Mounting 3

Now that you are on board there are a couple of things that need checking before you can ride. The first is to check the tightness of the girth. You may only have tested it 30 seconds ago before you got on but now your weight is on the horse's back it will probably need taking up.

Take both reins into one hand and move your leg forward past the knee roll of the saddle. You can see Pam's foot is still in the stirrup. You will now be able to lift the saddle flap and reach down to the girth straps and adjust them as necessary.

Check Girth

If this is your first time in the saddle this can seem a strange manoeuvre which makes you think you'll lose your balance. Your instructor will check and tighten your girth for you until your balance improves.

If you got your stirrup twisted around the right way before you mounted it should lie along your leg like this,

Stirrup Twist

If you have it twisted the other way the leather's edge will try to dig into your leg.

Your instructor will help you set the stirrups to a suitable length. As it all feels quite odd at this stage you will probably not be able to judge for yourself if they are of equal and correct length.

Next - using a mounting block.

Comments

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Leah 28th Apr 01

Thanks so much for this website! I've been chosen to head up a riding class at a nearby summer camp. I know how to ride but I needed some helpful pointers to teach beginners; things that have come to seem commonplace to me over time that I might forget to mention. Your site encapsulates every aspect of riding one would need to know to get a good start. Thank you for taking the time to put together this marvelously comprehensive site!

Fiona 17th Feb 02

I have decided to look for another riding school after having read this website. I have had 10 1/2 hour lessons so far and have not been taught hardly any of this! Plus I only seem to get a 20 minute ride anyway. Fantastic website - I am so glad I came across it. Thanks.

Georgia 28th Aug 02

i know this is about mounting not dis mounting but i just have to say.
it is VITAL to take you feet out of the stirrups before you dismount (its a common mistake). my friend took one foot out and forgot to take out the other and fell over, while her foot was stuck in the stirrup the horse freaked and cantered around the yard dragging her along, luckily she was ok but it could have been alot worse.

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