Getting on!!!

[Janette]

I have made a major discovery that I would like to share with those who are less athletically inclined, like me!!!!

I hated using a bucket to munt, because it always felt wobbly. One day, Star just leaned sideways at a critical moment, and I fell off and landed in a heap underneath her. She just stood and laughed - of course.
Rideaway sell a PORTABLE mounting block. Its really a 2-step stool, which you can stand on. Very light, and very handy for clipping also.
And reasonably priced.

www.rideaway.co.uk

And when your ANIMAL! takes ONE step backwards/sidewards/ forwards/upwards/downwards....... to avoid the act of me getting on, it is very light to move.:)

[Sarah]

At our yard we have plastic oil barrels halved to use to mount from. Tango doesn't like walking up next to them (as they are really quite scary Mummy), but will stand there calmly not being held as you pick up the scary barrel and walk next to her carrying it! Then you can mount easily with her standing still.

Silly horsey (but still very cute and fluffy).

bye!

[Laetitia]

Much to my chagrin! I tend to buckle those plastic upturned buckets ( somewhat of a heavyweight ), so if no nice solid concrete mounting block available, I use my robison's tack box/cumstool/cum mounting block. it's just high enough. Yes, I have also fallen off it and felt a right twit. L

[LindaAd]

I use one of those big plastic tubs - they used to call them muck tubs - with rope handles... They're useful for laundry, and for mucking out and for drinking water and hay, I have a whole collection of the things. You can't fall off them and they never break.

The mounting one lives outside the gate of the horses' field, and my instructor, who's got the field oppposite, has started using it too. She used to use an elegant little milk crate.

[Janette]

For me, getting on, on always the worst bit at first. - totally stressful. Was I going to miss/fall underneath/ or just not have enough bounce. I once told a group of people (very politely) to please not watch me having my lesson, because they were sniggereing at me. At that point, Star was doing her 'lets dance round the maypole' routine, (but very sedately, one step at a time) My dad built some proper mounting blocks for my mum, but Star will walk up to the, and then does a perfect turn on the forehand, and stands, facing her. Any ideas any body?:o

[Laetitia]

Probably just a question of perserverance, do it again and again until she stops pratting about, then big hugs and off you go. L

[Tangle]

.......;)They're useful for laundry, and for mucking out and for drinking water and hay

Hopefully not all at the same time :p

I used to dread trying to get on - when I started it seemed like the hardest part of the lesson, especially after the mounting block broke (thankfully not me, but I'm sure I helped). I'm not sure I could mount from the ground, but I've progressed from mounting block to concrete wall to portable steps. One day I'll be able to get onto that 17hh+ horse......;)

[Anne G]

Im very new to riding with the same problem. Im 5'3 and have great trouble scrambling onto a 15'2 Dales type horsey. Luckily she is an absolute poppet (im sure she sighs and rolls her eyes at my feeble attempts at athletics!). My sister, who is a vet rider has made me some strirup extension thingies, a little loop of leather with a easy release catch that just clips onto the stirup. Once im finally balanced precariously on her back i just release them and drop them into my pocket.

I must admit though, I have no problems falling off, I seem to have mastered that very quickly!

Best of luck with your mountaineering.

Anne (bruised but happy)