Does anyone else struggle with the business of getting on a horse?

I always use a mounting block because I'm just not flexible enough to get on without one and it wouldn't be fair on the horse! I don't even have the excuse of having been injured! If I have to get off out hacking, I try to find a fence/gate or a rut in the ground to stick my horse in so I can get back on. I've never had a problem with it really.
 
Honestly? Use a mounting block...there's absolutely no shame in it

Mine are both over 17hh and I'm 5ft 5 so there's no other way...BUT it's better for their backs and muscles to have as little stress on that one side as possible to keep things even...

So mounting blocks all the way...

Unless you have a 17.2 dino-horse that wanders off...:rolleyes:
 
Yep I thought I was just being a lardy lump but turned out I had a misaligned hip! After physio I could actually get on my 15.1 off the ground!!!!
 
I have always been able to get on from the ground but never on my own! I have to get someone to hold the stirrup on the other side or the saddle slips, so I used to use a mounting block as i don't think that this can be good for the horse and hated asking for help all the time.
 
I've never been able to "spring on" even as a child climbing on my 14.2hh cob!!

I have always used a mounting block or a log, fence etc etc I don't see the problem with it and always thought it's better for the horses back and your saddle.

My friend on the other hand has a 17.2hh ID and leaps on from the ground as i stand in ore!!! :eek:

I would still use the "leg up" method if i wasn't too heavy for someone to try and lift!! :o
 
I'm on a yard that used to be an RDA centre so being lazy I use the wheelchair accessible mounting block :o horse walks downhill while I stand on the platform and then step over..... Don't even need to use a stirrup for my horse. For giant horse that I hack occasionally I need a stirrup but it is only like a big step........ :o so idle :o
 
I too have a Highland, and have to find something higher than him and sort of launch myself onto his back.

We have two problems, firstly, even if I could mount from the ground we have saddle slipping issues with him being so round so it would be impossible. Secondly, I haven't got much movement in my left hip, so even mounting from a one or two step block is impossible.

I have asked OH to design me a winch, like the medieaval knight of old used to have, to lift me in the air, swing me round and lower me onto Fat Lads back :D :D :D
 
Left hip and left knee are ridiculously stiff . . . plus I'm a lardy arse . . . so I always, always, always use a mounting block. If I have to get off while out hacking, I find something to stand on to get back on . . . cross country jumps tend to work.

P
 
me totaly i have a bad knee and i find it so hard to get on sometimes i have a really high mountain block otherwise would never get on though i did fall off the other month and used a persons wall to get back on that wasnt very high i think it was just the thought of a very long walk home that gave me the strength to get back on :D
 
MrsElle said:
I too have a Highland, and have to find something higher than him and sort of launch myself onto his back.

We have two problems, firstly, even if I could mount from the ground we have saddle slipping issues with him being so round so it would be impossible. Secondly, I haven't got much movement in my left hip, so even mounting from a one or two step block is impossible.

I have asked OH to design me a winch, like the medieaval knight of old used to have, to lift me in the air, swing me round and lower me onto Fat Lads back :D :D :D
Click to expand...

The steps that you can buy to use in the house are good because they are built with safety in mind. You can also buy mounting blocks that are bigger than one or two steps.
 
No one is allowed to get on my horse from the ground, regardless of if they are able! I just don't think it's worth the strain on her back for the sake of using a block. She is very good and will stand by anything out hacking to let you get on
 
Another one who has to use a mounting block. I can just about clamber back on by putting my stirrup down as low as it will go if I dismount out hacking, but other than that it isn't a problem. I insist anyone else riding my horse uses a mounting block too - it's so much easier to sit gently on their backs from a mounting block than the ground.
 
I have used a plastic mounting block for years but after breaking my ankle 5 yrs ago, I asked OH to build me a high block, which I use to get on and off. IDx was hilarious, she used to march very officiously up to the block for the rider to dismount, no matter who was on board. It has taken me about a year to train Westpahlian to do it and stand in the right place for me to dismount, without missing the block.
I try very hard not to get off when on a hack. If I have to, I will walk until I can find something to use as a block.
 
OH did make me a fantastic block, it is huge, three steps, each step around 3 foot square so I feel safe getting on from whichever I need, and it has a large upright post on the top step so I can hang onto it as I step over Fat Lad's back. The bottom is weighted with breeze blocks to act as a counter balance. Unfortunately it still resides at my old place as we couldn't fit it in the van when we moved. We probably couldn't have lifted it either :) Must get him to make me another.
 
Always have to use a mounting block, I'm not fit enough to get on from the ground!

All fine til we went out hacking today and had to swap with my boss, 18hh is a long way up and nothing tall in sight! That was an interesting leg up..
 
We have a choice of a hand made step, a bale of hayledge or a leg up :D
I don't get on from the ground as I feel it's unfair strain and it takes two mins to find something to use.
 
Even if I could i would not get on from the ground. Why twist the saddle ?

Always taught mine, (all big) to stand at block, (huge one, I step down onto the horse), gate etc. Hunters were all taught to stand in a ditch if needed.

i admire any one who can hop and jump on board in one go, but fat, 50 and fxxxxxxxxxx there is no hope ! unless it's 10hh.
 
I'm 5'2" and my horse is 17.2hh and despite the fact that I'm relatively fit and not that old, try as I might I can not get my foot into the stirrup, so i have to resort to a mounting block, or gate, hump, tree stump you name it i've used it!
 
Yes! I'm hopeless at getting on from the ground, and use the block whenever I can, even on little 13.2hh ponies. I have no excuse whatsoever. I'm only in my twenties! When I do have to get on from the ground it is usually undignified! I'm just a very springy person!

x
 
Yes! I never used to as the yard I learned to ride at as a child didn't have any blocks. Mostly the ponies were used for small children on the weekends, and we just lifted them on.

Then when I bought my horse there were a number of portable mounting blocks around the yard and in the school so I used those to save her back, but assumed I could mount from the ground if needed... until I had to jump off whilst out on a hack one day and found, to my surprise, that I couldn't get back on again. Had to walk all the way home, and when I got there all the other yard users assumed I'd fallen off so were giving me sympathetic looks. It was rather embarrasing.
 
Um, yes.

I'm 5'7 and have a 14.2hh highland and a knackered right leg/hip so getting on from ground is a no-go.
I always find a tree stump, log or bench to stand on when out and about. At yard, I sit on a gate, horse then moves into position and stands still waiting patiently for me to sort myself out.
 
This thread has made me feel SO MUCH BETTER. I am forever jealous of those who can get on from the ground...

I am 24, 5'8", a little over 10 stone and in pretty good health but I just have a real problem with mounting. It's partly that I totally lack any spring and also that I am always afraid the saddle will slip and so am nervous about it. My horse is 16.2hh and I always use a block to get on her but I am often riding abroad (part of job selling riding holidays) and it's a real embarrassment to me! Always have to find a rock, step, chair etc. whilst everyone else springs on gracefully!

Also means I can't really go on a riding safari around dangerous game as wouldn't be able to get on in an elephant/lion related emergency. I have managed on the ground for ponies of about 14.2hh, without help, when I really had to but I didn't enjoy it. I could probably manage 15hh from the ground with someone holding the stirrup but I think my 16.2hh just isn't going to be possible! :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top