A wise woman once told me that the only "stupid" question is the one that isn't asked, so on that basis, what is the correct way to mount from a mounting block? I remember that, when mounting from the ground, you face the horse's tail, do you do the same on a block?
Mounting Block Etiquette
- Thread starter whirlybird
- Start date
That depends if you taking your exams or not. I personally don't because i am using a fence and not a block. I face the way i am going.
I have actually forgotten what i was told in the exam, but there was a way to mount a pony and a way to mount a horse, depending on where the stirrup came down to.
I have actually forgotten what i was told in the exam, but there was a way to mount a pony and a way to mount a horse, depending on where the stirrup came down to.
If using a mounting block I don't use the stirrups, I just swing my right leg over the horse and lower myself in the saddle, I do this on my 13.2hh and I used to do it when I rode the 18.2hh. Even using a block and stirrups you're pulling the saddle over to the left, plus if riding something fresh it's much safer not to have a foot in the stirrup in case they shoot off.
The technique is the same when mounting from the ground or using a mounting block. It's just that one is a lot easier than the other, for both horse and rider!
I personally can't help as I've never had to use a mounting block so far but your question has prompted a query of my own.
I've been taught to mount facing the horses head, this makes sense to me as you can have control of the head as you mount, I'm not really undertsanding how you can have control of the horse if you mount facing the tail.
Is this a difference between Western/English riding or is this something unique to my instructor?
Sorry... Not meaning to piggyback on your thread... :unsure:
I've been taught to mount facing the horses head, this makes sense to me as you can have control of the head as you mount, I'm not really undertsanding how you can have control of the horse if you mount facing the tail.
Is this a difference between Western/English riding or is this something unique to my instructor?
Sorry... Not meaning to piggyback on your thread... :unsure:
Because if you are facing the front, then your right leg is closer to the horse than the left and you'll get in a pickle trying to jump up and swing your leg over the back of the horse. The idea is to jump up, not use the stirrup to pull yourself up.
I was always told to face the rear on block or from ground as then if the horse walked forward the motion helped you into the saddle, if you were facing the front you were more likely to fall backwards.
I imagine it is impossible to mount that way on a western saddle as the stirrups don't lie and turn in the same way.
I imagine it is impossible to mount that way on a western saddle as the stirrups don't lie and turn in the same way.
I am old enough to have been taught like eml facing tail. But our RI told me many people found it hard to turn mid air so people are now taught to mount facing the horse's side. Thus OH and grand daughter do the latter. But I cant manage it.
I was taught that way too and as far as I am aware that's how it is still taught, but it's been a year since I worked in a riding school.
How embarrassing, I can't actually think what I do :redface:!
Little Un is only 14.2 so I just swing a leg over him rather than mount properly. Jim's way too big for that, but because he doesn't wait patiently at the mounting block I tend to stick a foot in the stirrup & swing on as he moves (don't all jump on me, no-one else rides him & it doesn't bother me in the least & he stands like a rock when I need him to). Next time I get on I'll try to remember & see what I do!
Little Un is only 14.2 so I just swing a leg over him rather than mount properly. Jim's way too big for that, but because he doesn't wait patiently at the mounting block I tend to stick a foot in the stirrup & swing on as he moves (don't all jump on me, no-one else rides him & it doesn't bother me in the least & he stands like a rock when I need him to). Next time I get on I'll try to remember & see what I do!
My technique is:
Line moët up with me standing directly in front of her head. Give her a treat.
Don't touch reins, get on block, stand Facing the saddle, put right leg straight over saddle without putting a foot in a stirrup, then put both feet in stirrups, give her a treat, pick up reins and move away....
Don't suggest you follow my relaxed technique as I fully trust my horse and she knows the routine! I can't stand fidgety horses at the block, massive pet hate when they walk off.
Line moët up with me standing directly in front of her head. Give her a treat.
Don't touch reins, get on block, stand Facing the saddle, put right leg straight over saddle without putting a foot in a stirrup, then put both feet in stirrups, give her a treat, pick up reins and move away....
Don't suggest you follow my relaxed technique as I fully trust my horse and she knows the routine! I can't stand fidgety horses at the block, massive pet hate when they walk off.
I'm similar. I don't look at Joy and have one finger hooked through the left rein. I expect her to line herself up and stand there till I'm sorted.
Amazing to think how far we've come because as a RS pony, and when I first got her, she needed to be held by someone on the ground as not even rein contact would keep her near the block. I had to train her to do what I expected of her.
Amazing to think how far we've come because as a RS pony, and when I first got her, she needed to be held by someone on the ground as not even rein contact would keep her near the block. I had to train her to do what I expected of her.
Never heard of it - I had to go watch a video to see what I do, I face forward... but then mounting is not one of my strong suits... I must see if doing it the other way makes a difference.
Anyone got a video of them doing it 'the proper way' then? Interesting.
I don't tolerate a horse who won't stand for mounting, so I can usually scramble on any old way anyway. I'd never get my leg over without using the inside stirrup? How do you do that???
I used to be one of these who said, you shouldn't be riding your horse if you can't mount it from the ground :redface: but now I'm as weak as a kitten (unfit etc) and I'd damage my horses back, so mounting block/wall/fence... it is! Shame!
Anyone got a video of them doing it 'the proper way' then? Interesting.
I don't tolerate a horse who won't stand for mounting, so I can usually scramble on any old way anyway. I'd never get my leg over without using the inside stirrup? How do you do that???
I used to be one of these who said, you shouldn't be riding your horse if you can't mount it from the ground :redface: but now I'm as weak as a kitten (unfit etc) and I'd damage my horses back, so mounting block/wall/fence... it is! Shame!
Rips I can mount an 18.2hh without stirrups from a block! I'm 5ft8 so even if you're only 5ft you should be able to do at least 16hh! It's like mounting normally, you turn to face the horses bottom, lift the right leg and swing it over the back of the horse and land in the saddle, if the horses p!sses off you have your weight centered over the mounting block and not the wobbly stirrup iron, honestly it's much safer! Henry never stood to mount when I first had him and because I wasn't fussed about him moving using that technique neither of us ever had an issue and he learned to stand like a rock.
I have though found that mounting pony from the ground, with Henry I used to scrabble up, with pony I have to really remember to get a bounce going before I put my weight in the stirrup to get up.
I have though found that mounting pony from the ground, with Henry I used to scrabble up, with pony I have to really remember to get a bounce going before I put my weight in the stirrup to get up.
I don't think you "should" be able to, I've only once managed to get on madam from the ground with no stirrups - I don't have an inner gymnast though I am fairly fit etc. she's only 11"3!!! It would be nice to be able to, but I don't think it's a big deal if you can't. I always mount from the ground on my own with no help without an issue just not without stirrups.
I can mount Ziggy from the ground if I have to (but I don't like to because I saw some shocking pressure evidence once of how hard it is on their backs) and have vaulted on to him bareback once. I think that was enough at my age.
He's a lot easier to mount from a bank, log, stone, gate or fence and he will wait patiently at all of those. He really dislikes mounting blocks though and will p*ss about if I am not very firm with him.
He's a lot easier to mount from a bank, log, stone, gate or fence and he will wait patiently at all of those. He really dislikes mounting blocks though and will p*ss about if I am not very firm with him.
One of the things I love about Joy is being able to mount from the ground, even before I lost my weight. As a happy hacker it was essential for me to be able to mount from the ground, which I was able to once I thought her to stand still.
I don't think we 'ought' to be able to mount from the ground although i see it as desireable. I'm all too aware that my abilities are diminishing with age and don't expect everyone who rides to be able bodied.
I don't think we 'ought' to be able to mount from the ground although i see it as desireable. I'm all too aware that my abilities are diminishing with age and don't expect everyone who rides to be able bodied.
I can't mount from the ground any more because of arthritis in my knee, but it doesn't bother me any more because I read an article about mounting and how it affects the horse. Don't flame me though, it makes sense to me but you may have another opinion.
I learned the ideal is to step over the horses back from a mounting block.
If this isn't possible, use the stirrup but get someone to hold the offside one for you if you can.
Or thirdly, use the stirrup from the mounting block.
If you have to, mount from the ground. Mounting from the ground at best twists the saddle and at worst puts strain on the horse's back.
To answer the question, I face the head when using a block, but would face the tail if mounting from the ground.
I learned the ideal is to step over the horses back from a mounting block.
If this isn't possible, use the stirrup but get someone to hold the offside one for you if you can.
Or thirdly, use the stirrup from the mounting block.
If you have to, mount from the ground. Mounting from the ground at best twists the saddle and at worst puts strain on the horse's back.
To answer the question, I face the head when using a block, but would face the tail if mounting from the ground.
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