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

HollyWoozle said:
This thread has made me feel SO MUCH BETTER.
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Me too :). I have a phobia about mounting with my foot in stirrup since getting hurt when a mate’s horse bombed off with me mid mount…..can’t even watch other riders do it I have to look away. I use anything that’s high enough for me to throw a leg over and hop on, luckily I have very long legs and my horse has short cobby ones.
 
Misog2000 said:
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
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I am 63 and never attempt to mount from the ground. I don't let anyone coming to my yard mount from the ground either out of respect for my horses' backs.

I have never had a problem out hacking either, there is always a log, bank or sloping ground.
 
My supreme athleticism was highlighted in my lesson on Sunday...pony's saddle slipped forwards after he had a bit of a buck, so I hopped off to move it back...little bugger would NOT stand still to let me back on, and I ended up hopping about on one leg in a very undignified way before eventually scrambling on board. He is all of about 13hh. :o It was mega embarrassing...everyone laughed!! Haha. Need to work on my spring!! x
 
I've lost my spring over the years. When I was younger I (at 5'2") used to get on a 17hh riding school horse from the ground (had a lot of spring then). Now I need a high mounting block to get on my 15.1....

Bought a 2-step ladder from Homebase (own brand, tallest one they had), which folds up & can easily go in the trailer. Works a treat. Still need the horse held for me. She is so eager to get on with work as soon as your in the air she's gone. I have tried very hard over the years to stop her, but she still does it.

Good news is her daughter (my next competition horse) is shorter, currently 14.3hh, so it will be even easier to get on her. I might even be able to go back to my old steps.
 
I have a 16.3 (large 16.3!!!) and am only 5'7 so I do struggle to get on her but unfortunately I have to somehow as I am the only person at the yard usually when I ride and she isn't all that good at standing still at the mounting block!! :(

I just put my stirrup down to the last hole and hope for the best - she tends to move aswell when I am half way on!!
 
Oh lord, I havn't mounted from the ground for 20 years! Do have an excuse as I smashed both knees up in a car accident, but I wouldn't put my poor (if small) horses through the trauma of me hauling myself up via the stirrup. Used to vault on: used to be MUCH younger.
 
After reading this I'm guessing that I'm the only one who completely fails at using mounting blocks?

If I'm standing on one I have urges to just jump over the horse and nosedive the floor, which is never wise, but happens fairly often...

If I'm bareback, I will vault on (probably with the help of a breeze block when I start riding again, I'm guessing that I will have lost my spring :o) and If I have a willing helper, I will have a leg up.. I don't really mount with stirrups though, as jack tends to walk away mid hop, which can also lead to nose dives...
 
I'm 5ft 2in and my ponio is 14hh - so you'd think it was easy to get on but now i'm 34 I can't get up from the ground (not as flexible as I used to be - tried to get on from the ground but the saddle slid down to his side). He won't hold still at a mounting block and it takes several attempts for me to get on. :eek:
 
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