Ageing process

[LeftBrainer]

Does anyone else love going on long long rides but dread jumping off back at the yard - my knees and ankles are trying to tell me we're getting older. I'm trying not to listen:mad:
My knees sound like someone's rustling plastic bags whenever I flex them (crepitus I think it's called) and my ankles seem to have lost any shock absorbing ability so I've developed an ungainly slide-off-the-horse technique rather than the youthful spring I used to have.
Not feeling sorry for myself in the least but would love to hear I'm not the only one considering getting off onto a mounting block:o

[Skib]

You arent the only one. I cant dismount normally anyway. It's a common problem in older age. I use the cavalry dismount.
But deep in winter when I had frozen to the saddle, an old Irish groom at the yard once told me that it would help if I stood up in my stirrups a couple of times before dismounting, it would losen me up. He said people used to do that after hunting.
Having expensive gear helps too - Sprenger stirrups reduce wear on one's knees and Ariat boots have some spring in the sole so help in landing.

[Joyscarer]

As I have gotten older and bigger I find the same thing but all this tells me is that I need to do MORE long hacks to get used to it :p

[Heucherella]

I agree with Joyscarer, it makes a big difference how used to it you are. In my mid thirties, before I started riding properly, I had a two hour western trek while on holiday in the States. It was good fun, but at the end when I slid off, my legs buckled underneath me, and it was only a firm grip on the saddle that prevented me from becoming an inelegant heap on the ground. :o

Now I ride regularly, and have found somewhere that offers full day hacks, but as I am only used to one or two hours in the saddle, I fear a repeat performance of the jelly legs, so aren't brave enough to book up.:(

[Lara*]

I sit in the saddle for a moment and stretch my legs out of the stirrups before I dismount. Makes a huge difference just to swing them for a bit first.

[chickyd444]

i feel like that and im 25 - dilocated me knee last year and feels super week and painful when i slide off now and meet the ground :(

[Merlbloss]

I agree that Sprenger stirrups help, just got some and ankles and knees no longer ache when I ride. Still take a deep breath and brace myself when I dismount though!

[*Sez*]

I find dismounting onto a large hay-bale is far more forgiving on painful knees or ankles than onto a solid surface.
I'm not twenty-four until November, so no hope for me as I get older :rolleyes:

[LeftBrainer]

I agree with Joyscarer, it makes a big difference how used to it you are. In my mid thirties, before I started riding properly, I had a two hour western trek while on holiday in the States. It was good fun, but at the end when I slid off, my legs buckled underneath me, and it was only a firm grip on the saddle that prevented me from becoming an inelegant heap on the ground. :o

Now I ride regularly, and have found somewhere that offers full day hacks, but as I am only used to one or two hours in the saddle, I fear a repeat performance of the jelly legs, so aren't brave enough to book up.:(

Sob, I do ride out regularly and for hours at a time *wails* I even had a lovely pair of ariat boots - the new dog ate the jelly insole thing...:mad:

Looks like expensive stirrups - aargh! but thinking of going over to western! surely that means I can dismount differently???:cool:

[jacs205]

I struggle to dismount too, partly back injury and partly just creaky because of age, I dread that part of my lesson in case I hurt the horses back somehow. Skib what is the cavalry dismount, I've not heard of that?

[cazrider]

When I had sciatica a few weeks ago, I couldn't dismount either. The throwing the leg over part was agonising. Luckily Sennie is a bit of a saint at times. He just stood there like a rock while I inelegantly leant over his neck grabbed him round the neck, swivelled and slid my way down. :rolleyes: Funny isn't it, how riding itself doesn't give anything like the problems of getting off.

[Skib]

Long ago when NR Mature section included more oap s there were often threads on this. A Western dismount is similar to a cavalry dismount, i.e you leave your left foot in the stirrup while you swing the other leg over. This is the only way I can get off a horse.
But with Western I find added poblems, as the stirrup leather is likely to be long and the cantle high - so I have hurt myself getting my leg over - and then you need to step down to the ground which isnt always possible on a tall English or Irish horse.
The cavalry dismount (described in the Pony Club handbook for use when needed by riders unable to dismount the conventional way) is easier than Western as it doesn't require you to step down to the ground.
The way I get off, you need to keep your left leg straight, so that as your right leg swings over you bring it to join the other, as if you are standing to attention alongside the horse. Then you take your weight on your hands in the centre of the sadle and shake your left foot clear of the stirrup. Then slide down the side of the horse to the ground.
It sounds a bit complicated but with practice becomes very quick. Getting off is a real problem for me, the worst part of any ride. But once my right leg is over (you can always shorten the stirrup leather if needed to make that part easier), I am very quickly free of the horse.
In fact I am so quick my RI decided it wasnt worth her while to teach me a conventional dismount. The only time I do a normal dismount is if I ride bareback.
Because your left foot remains in the stirrup, this cavalry dismount (which used to be the correct dismount) is not considered as safe as the modern conventional dismount, and the Pony Club advise having someone to hold your horse. I do this on my current RS mare, just to make sure her saddle doesnt slip. But at my first riding school, I always dismounted alone.
If you are alone, my current RI suggested I turn the horse into a corner of the manege or yard. Just to discourage it from walking anywhere.

I couldnt have learned to ride at all without this work round and my OH does it the same way. But I have to admit that I find getting off a struggle - my riding gets better and better and then I get back to the yard and turn into a quivering 90 year old.

[Shire Monster]

must admit my kness don't seem too much of a problem, but wearas I used to dismount mount swinging my leg over and sort springing off I always landed clear of the horse, these days I swing my leg over and gradually slither down the saddle until I reach the floor (not as slow as it sounds ;)), I would say one time in three I end up with a graze on my tummy off the saddle :rolleyes:

[sancho]

must admit my kness don't seem too much of a problem, but wearas I used to dismount mount swinging my leg over and sort springing off I always landed clear of the horse, these days I swing my leg over and gradually slither down the saddle until I reach the floor (not as slow as it sounds ;)), I would say one time in three I end up with a graze on my tummy off the saddle :rolleyes:

Ive posted about my extremely ungainly dismount before but agree with the above Shire Monster, I go to swing my leg over and get stuck momentarily and land in a most undignified manner - much to my daughters embarresment!

oh well at least Im not the only one!:p

[posie]

i'm only 27 and had to call off my riding lesson half way through last night due to my hips killing me! today i am walking with a limp :(
my new stirrups had def helped though - i didn't go for expensive ones - just cheapie felxibles ones from ebay that do the same job (and look the same!)
i am sure i'm like this because i have gone from no regular riding for over 2 yrs to backing a horse and riding 'properly' in the school under instruction for 30mins a day - and my back/legs/hips are really feeling it.

[jacs205]

thanks Skib, I will try this way, my RI is there anyway holding onto the horse so it should be safe from the walking away point of view.

[Tre]

my dad is 67, im 33, my dad has a 15.3hh cob, my dad is about 5ft 5 im 4ft 11 and a half LOL but my dad can mount and dismount better than me my dad just kinda throws himself off leaving me stood there like :eek:
1st time i rode him last year i must have just sat there looking at the floor for at least 20 mins when it came to getting off him and of course new horse everyone watching im like poo!! i cant get off, so my OH and 2 of my brothers said ok we'll help you so over they came 1 holding the horse 2 ready to catch me as i attempt to get off, so on the count of 3 i threw my right leg over and started to slide down the saddle, getting my tshirt hooked on something, stomach hit the stirrup and still didnt feel no sign of any hands on me to catch me they was all too busy laughing at me so i continued to slide untill i could see the girth by which time i was actually sliding underneath him, by the time i had finished getting off and my feet hitting the floor both my ankles just couldnt take the thud and i ended up on my bum sat under the horse with my tshirt round my neck, horse still stood there looking at me as if to say why ya sat down there?

i was in agony for days lol i havent ridden him since i leave it to my dad now but he certainly puts me to shame

[Troi]

Would love to dismount the way Skib describes but I have a very round pony. How do you stop the saddle from slipping when you get on and off. I'm going to try and build a mounting block but if you have to get off during a hack?? Anyone any suggestions? She has a new saddle.

[annette h]

my dad is 67, im 33, my dad has a 15.3hh cob, my dad is about 5ft 5 im 4ft 11 and a half LOL but my dad can mount and dismount better than me my dad just kinda throws himself off leaving me stood there like :eek:
1st time i rode him last year i must have just sat there looking at the floor for at least 20 mins when it came to getting off him and of course new horse everyone watching im like poo!! i cant get off, so my OH and 2 of my brothers said ok we'll help you so over they came 1 holding the horse 2 ready to catch me as i attempt to get off, so on the count of 3 i threw my right leg over and started to slide down the saddle, getting my tshirt hooked on something, stomach hit the stirrup and still didnt feel no sign of any hands on me to catch me they was all too busy laughing at me so i continued to slide untill i could see the girth by which time i was actually sliding underneath him, by the time i had finished getting off and my feet hitting the floor both my ankles just couldnt take the thud and i ended up on my bum sat under the horse with my tshirt round my neck, horse still stood there looking at me as if to say why ya sat down there?

i was in agony for days lol i havent ridden him since i leave it to my dad now but he certainly puts me to shame

I love that, really made me smile :)

I am 52 and find hitting the ground from a large horse quite painful. It was worse though when I wore my husbands back protector. it caught on the saddle as I was doing my ungainly slither and tipped me on my bum under the horse :rolleyes:, Of course all the little girl "helpers" at the RS had to be watching :o

[Big Ears]

i'm 52 as well - don't have bother getting on as i use a set of steps! - but have a hell of a bother getting off sometimes, gets better the more i ride, but it is a case of getting rosie to stand stock still, hands around her neck, lean forward and hope i can get my right leg over the saddle and slither to the ground - we have some rubber mats so i make sure i am landing on them as it cushions the impact. elegant it isn't.

[Trewsers]

I find my legs ache after cantering (but thats only cos I've suddenly started doing a lot more and I'm unfit!). After a while it will go! I do find I can't lift things like I used to and get away with it - I have to be really careful lifting the water containers (they're really really heavy!!). I'm rubbish at getting off - I don't have any shock absorbers in my feet tho.........

[BlackBess]

I've found that now that I'm riding more regularly, I'm getting better at mounting (don't need a crane anymore) and dismounting (it actually looks like a proper dismount rather than just falling off to the side). I don't usually have any aches and pains at the time but I really feel it the next day, creaking around everywhere and now even the hot bath and chocolate doesn't put it right anymore.

[Skippys Mum]

I scramble on even with a mounting block. Its not even close to elegant - no wonder poor wee Arnie doesnt like standing to be mounted:o, but getting off completely foxes me. I cant get my right leg up and over so I go the other way. I take my left leg over his neck and slide down that way. I know its totally wrong but its so much easier. Fortunately, I am tall and he is small so its not too long a drop.

Had a slight disaster with this with Skippy - tried it wearing a long riding coat and ended up suspended from the saddle as the flap of the coat got caught:eek:

I've just given in and ordered the Sprenger stirrups though - they should be here tomorrow. Hopefully these will help (I'm getting the bow balance ones - I think they are for knees and ankles:))

[Skippys Mum]

woops, double posted:)

[Suzanne2]

I know this is considered an absolute no-no. But if you do it in true cowboy style by swinging right leg over horse's neck and then sliding down with your back to the saddle the impact is far more gentle on the joints. Don't try it on a horse that is likely to do something mad while you dismount though.

[Tre]

i think if i did that i would just wobble off backwards :D

[cwb]

I know this is considered an absolute no-no. But if you do it in true cowboy style by swinging right leg over horse's neck and then sliding down with your back to the saddle the impact is far more gentle on the joints. Don't try it on a horse that is likely to do something mad while you dismount though.

OMG I need my arms in front of me to control my descent! I shake my legs free of the stirrups and stretch my legs before leaning forward to take the weight on my arms (both hands on the front of the saddle) then lift and swing my leg over her rump, sliding gently down the side of the saddle - keeping your weight over the saddle means less "twist" for the saddle / girth too.

Hit the ground with slightly bent knees and there is no shock.

Mind you - when getting off the Clydesdales, I ended up more under the horse than normal ! :D

[Ansiosa]

I know this is considered an absolute no-no. But if you do it in true cowboy style by swinging right leg over horse's neck and then sliding down with your back to the saddle the impact is far more gentle on the joints. Don't try it on a horse that is likely to do something mad while you dismount though.

This is one of my techniques, especially as my old mare used to like to stretch her neck down on arrival back at the yard which made it so much easier to swing my right leg over her withers. However, I have to admit it is awfully embarrasing if you do that, start sliding down and only then realise that the leg strap of your rain coat is hooked over the pommel of the saddle. There is just no way to avoid (a) breaking the coat strap and (b) landing in an undignified heap at your horses feet thereby causing much amusement to all other liveries present :o

[helenpleasance]

I'm 42 and I have trouble too. I normally take my feet out of the stirrup, flex my ankles, stretch my legs, take a deep breath and swing my leg over the saddle, hand for a second at the top and ease my self half way down then jump. It still can get me though, and I have indeed done the swing the leg over and get it hooked under the saddle. Cue laughing and trying again.

[LindaAd]

The way I get off, you need to keep your left leg straight, so that as your right leg swings over you bring it to join the other, as if you are standing to attention alongside the horse. Then you take your weight on your hands in the centre of the sadle and shake your left foot clear of the stirrup. Then slide down the side of the horse to the ground.

<snip>

Because your left foot remains in the stirrup, this cavalry dismount (which used to be the correct dismount) is not considered as safe as the modern conventional dismount, and the Pony Club advise having someone to hold your horse. I do this on my current RS mare, just to make sure her saddle doesnt slip. But at my first riding school, I always dismounted alone.
If you are alone, my current RI suggested I turn the horse into a corner of the manege or yard. Just to discourage it from walking anywhere.

.

You do need to be careful about this , especially if you are riding at a riding school where the stirrups are different sizes. I tried it once, and my foot got stuck in the stirrup, so there I was standing on the ground with my foot in the stirrup .... It's not as if I ever mount from the ground - I haven't got that sort of spring. I had to undo the stirrup leather to unstick myself. I was quite chuffed to find that I wasn't flat on my back, but still ...:eek:

[Skib]

Linda, The difference might be that I was taught by an RI to dismount this way?
And unlike you and most people on NR, I dont have a choice?

Stirrups size at riding schools is an altogether different hazard. And scandal. Of which all adult beginners and returnees should be aware from day 1.
At my first school they completely refused to change the stirrups between lessons so I rode in the same stirrups as 8 year olds.

Later out hacking from another school, my foot stuck in the stirrup when I was bucked off. No harm done, but a dire warning. Never again.

[Skib]

Looking at Linda's reply again, I feel there is a misunderstanding.

The cavalry dismount is not like a Western dismount. In the Western dismount the stirrup is used to lower you to the ground. The way I get off, the only use of the stirrup is to raise your hips and allow clearance for your right leg to swing over the cantle.
As soon as that is done, you shake off the stirrup.

Your left knee should not bend until it is free of the stirrup.
Dismounting this way, if one should find that one cant free one's left foot from the stirrup before dropping to the ground, one should be able to swing the right leg back over the horse and sit in the saddle again.
Definitely do not allow yourself to drop below saddle level until you are free of the stirrup.

However, in 6 years, I never had my foot stick in a stirrup dismounting this way. Nor has my OH.
I have once been to an RS where the woman told me I couldnt get off like this. So I never went back, but I wouldnt have anyway as I was taught by her 14 year old daughter.

[ginageorge]

Iam nearly 49 and only 5ft tall plus about 2st overweight (which i keep saying im going to something about)LOL.I have terrible trouble mounting and dismounting and have to use a mounting block iam just not agile anymore.

[LindaAd]

Linda, The difference might be that I was taught by an RI to dismount this way?
And unlike you and most people on NR, I dont have a choice?
<snip>

Looking at Linda's reply again, I feel there is a misunderstanding.

The cavalry dismount is not like a Western dismount. In the Western dismount the stirrup is used to lower you to the ground. The way I get off, the only use of the stirrup is to raise your hips and allow clearance for your right leg to swing over the cantle.
As soon as that is done, you shake off the stirrup.

Your left knee should not bend until it is free of the stirrup.
Dismounting this way, if one should find that one cant free one's left foot from the stirrup before dropping to the ground, one should be able to swing the right leg back over the horse and sit in the saddle again.
Definitely do not allow yourself to drop below saddle level until you are free of the stirrup.
<snip>.


Yes, I know you're supposed to take your left foot out of the stirrup before you slide to, the ground. I'm not sure why I didn't - maybe I jsut wasn't paying attention I have a feeling I might have been taught to dismount like that when I was a child, but I don't really remember.

Anyway, that's what happened - somehow my foot got twisted in the stirrup and stuck. I tried getting off that way to see if maybe it was easier, but it wasn't easier for me.

The silliest thing of all is that they were my own stirrups! I was so fed up with the RS stirrups - they never had matching leathers and were always too long for me o that I needed a twist in them - that I used to bring my own.

[Camyds]

Mounting, I use a block, my boys 16.2 and i am 48, however, that can pose some problems, not from me, but from him, has a wee habit of moving as i am about to launch myself, (picture the schene of an auld granny plonking ungainly on the saddle) :o Dismounting, yeah, the old legs feel it and this may not be recommended, but, i find if i take my feet out of the stirrups for the last part of the ride and let them dangle, i can land on dismount sooo much more comfy!!!:)

[coverblown]

Now dismounting is something I am good at. Like CWB I take weight on hands at front and swing R leg over above cantle, push against saddle and literally jump to the ground - well away from horses side.

But recently - I have had a mental block. I know I can do it. But as I finish riding I sit there stock still feet instirrups thinking - how the h*** am I gonna do this. And then have to sway my legs to get the momentum going.

I am another 52 btw.

Mounting tho' - not nearly so easy. It ok on the mounting blocks at our school - they are really high - I just step forward into the stirrup. So when I went to eml's and her mounting block is a bit lower (and the horse a bit higher) - I really struggled and had to double up on mounting blocks... sorry eml. still embarrassed :o

[luvmelol]

I too have to lower myself off my 17hh horse when I dismount. I first lean to the right of her neck putting my left arm up the the armpit over the right side of her neck. swing my leg over and slither to the ground, it works until she puts her head down. lol

[karsteine]

Most days i find it hard to dismount, and i'm only 27, mind you i have ripped a ligament in one knee and cracked the other, and they both sound like someone walking over broken glass.
I fined eithyer gently sliding off the side of the saddle or rest my hole body over the centre of the saddle to stretch out then slide down helps as my anckles and knees dont take the full force of my weight when i dismount

[LeftBrainer]

Confession - tried variation on the dismounting theme (ride had gone well, had fantastic gallop horse and me were one etc etc) slid off saddle facing outwards. Idjit! Forgot was using safety stirrups and hook where the band hooks on caught on/in the back of my leg. Can now add whopping great graze and purple bruise to knees and ankles list. what a wally:o

[Skippys Mum]

And we've already told you that you have to make sure you are not attached:D.

My sprenger stirrups have arrived so I'm crossing fingers they help.

[lolahutt]

The best way to go about the problem of dismounting is to own the smallest possible pony for your size.:D

[LeftBrainer]

And we've already told you that you have to make sure you are not attached:D.

My sprenger stirrups have arrived so I'm crossing fingers they help.

Thanks Skippy's Mum, you're right:o I should have paid closer attention:o

Lolahutt - yes, but my only hope would be too shrink the boy and he won't fit in the washing machine... Seriously I've always tried to buy a smaller horse. Each horse over 15' 2' started off in my mind as 14' 2'. I've never been able to see it through. I had a 16' 2' ex race horse once that started off in my mind as a highland pony:confused::rolleyes:

[cwb]

Just a thought - if you mount from a mounting block then why not ride back to the block and dismount onto it?

[LeftBrainer]

Just a thought - if you mount from a mounting block then why not ride back to the block and dismount onto it?

Ah yes, hence the last bit of my original posting. It's just pride getting in the way and maybe a masochistic sense of adventure. Plus, I love our last gallop back into the yard and it just seems so uncool to then ride slowly up to the mounting block...:o

Please feel free to admonish me for very unsafe practice of galloping into yard - it's a stoney lane, not concrete, and the only young children around are going to be mine;) Also I make such a childish loud whooping and hollering noise as we gallop in no one would miss my approach:p

[Skippys Mum]

Please feel free to admonish me for very unsafe practice of galloping into yard - it's a stoney lane, not concrete, and the only young children around are going to be mine;) Also I make such a childish loud whooping and hollering noise as we gallop in no one would miss my approach:p

Okay, consider yourself admonished:). Imagine how awful it would be if your horse trampled a child and the child screamed:eek:. Your poor horse might get a fright and spook:D. Instead of worrying about your dismount you would perhaps be better spending that time training your children to stay silent regardless:D (its not that I dont like them, but I couldnt eat a whole one at once:D:D)

[LeftBrainer]

Okay, consider yourself admonished:). Imagine how awful it would be if your horse trampled a child and the child screamed:eek:. Your poor horse might get a fright and spook. Instead of worrying about your dismount you would perhaps be better spending that time training your children to stay silent regardless: (its not that I dont like them, but I couldnt eat a whole one at once)

Aha no! The bits get stuck in your teeth. Awful. Most inconvenient.:eek:
Horse though probably wouldn't spook so much as snort with pleasure - "look mum, see what I've done! How clever am I?", I've seen him grin with demonic pleasure once before - it wasn't pretty:p

I'm going to modify my approach into the yard from now on. Gallop yes. Then stop (suddenly, in a cloud of dust) perform perfect turn on hindquarters and sneak back to the mounting block before anyone notices:cool:. There I shall dismount smoothly without thought of creaky joints and aged ankles, fall off mounting block and still end up as an unimpressive heap on the floor. See - I have it all planned:D:D:D

[Painthorse64]

I find that in my 40s I can still get on any horse of any height without a mounting block, but getting off....thats another story isn't it, I dread it...as my legs feels so stiff and I have to concentrate when I hit the ground so that I don't shoot backwards. I had to dismount from a 16.3hh horse after riding in the Peak district, I'm only 5' 1" and I had to sort of climb down the side of the saddle and stirrup leather hoping the ground would soon be felt gently, then I felt like I was looking up at mount Everest as I looked at the lovely patient mare I had just ridden.....then comes the walking off.......slowly and gently to unlock the leg muscles!!

[cwb]

Please feel free to admonish me for very unsafe practice of galloping into yard

Well, there's your answer to the dismounting problem - just train the horse to stop suddenly and put its head down - then you can slide gracefully down its neck and land on your feet! :cool: :p ;) :D

[LeftBrainer]

Well, there's your answer to the dismounting problem - just train the horse to stop suddenly and put its head down - then you can slide gracefully down its neck and land on your feet! :cool: :p ;) :D

Doh, should've thought of that:D:D:D:D:D:D:

[blacklabrador]

Does anyone else love going on long long rides but dread jumping off back at the yard - my knees and ankles are trying to tell me we're getting older. I'm trying not to listen:mad:
My knees sound like someone's rustling plastic bags whenever I flex them (crepitus I think it's called) and my ankles seem to have lost any shock absorbing ability so I've developed an ungainly slide-off-the-horse technique rather than the youthful spring I used to have.
Not feeling sorry for myself in the least but would love to hear I'm not the only one considering getting off onto a mounting block:o

I agree, that sometimes happens to me on my little legs which makes them ache a little!

:o:rolleyes::p:mad::cool:

[Liz1949]

I am 5ft tall with legs appropriately sized in relation to my height, and arthritic knees ...

A slithering action can be cultivated which (usually) results in a gentle, acceptably-low-speed landing on the ground. It may, however, result in damage to the front of the garment one is wearing when one slithers, depending on the design of saddle down which you are slithering ...

[Midori]

I'm 60 and ride side.

Mounting has to be done via mounting block, dismounting is not too bad. Take your left foot out of the stirrup, take your right leg over the fixed head and sit completely sideways, then hold the fixed head with your right hand as you slide down. The fixed head helps to stop you landing in a heap, and also helps you turn so you are facing forward when you land.

Cheers, Midori