Dismounting with a painful hip/leg joint

[Green Bean]

Anyone with a solution? I am fine to ride but when I need to dismount, my right leg joint really hurts. I have tried leaning forward and bringing my leg around the back, but it is still quite painful (horse also doesn’t help as she won’t stand still when I get off)

 

[Sir barnaby]

I had a friend used to come and ride Barney and she was in her 70’s and had the same problem, so my husband made a larger than average mounting block and when she got back would stand close to the block and she would swing her leg over the pommel the drop down on to the mounting block. We were lucky as my horse stood very still and I always stood beside him so he didn’t move. I don’t think it would work on a horse that won’t stand quietly.

 

[vhf]

Yep, train to stand at the mounting block. Then step down slowly!!!

 

[taraj]

taller mounting block and a square cantle saddle really helps!

 

[ycbm]

Definitely swing your leg forwards instead if the horse is steady enough.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

Auslander has just posted pictures of her dismounting block!

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/probably-my-best-idea-ever.795034/#post-14404435

 

[Green Bean]

Thanks everyone, I will try the leg forward dismount, I used to dismount this way with my previous horse (30 years ago!) but he was 14:3, my girl is 16hh so hoping the slide down won’t kill me a different way. I am going to have to teach her to standstill if I am going to dismount on the mounting block. Luckily the yard does have a tall one so I step onto my horse rather than stepping up and putting pressure on her back

 

[splashgirl45]

would it help to dismount on the other side, i know it would feel odd to start with but you would be swinging the other leg over the back of the saddle...worth a try. i had a mare who was fidgety to mount and i used polos as bribe and she then stood stock still every time. i know treats are frowned on but as i also have bad hips it was much safer for me ....

 

[Cob Life]

When I messed up my knee I had to get on from the right, ride without stirrups and Dismount onto a tall block.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Auslander has just posted pictures of her dismounting block!

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/probably-my-best-idea-ever.795034/#post-14404435

I have the same, mine is 4 pallets high with breeze block steps each side and thick rubber on the top pallet, it is a pallet table. The gap from stirrup to top of block is 6 inches from the maxi cob and a foot from the big horses. I couldn't do without it now I am old, fat and stiff.

 

[Spotherisk]

I have a dodgy hip too. Dismount to the right, keep your right foot in the stirrup, that was you can stand up a little bit, helping you clear the cantle. I did know someone who dismounted with leg forward, landed awkwardly and actually broke a vertebrae.