Getting on from the right

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Cob Life

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Does anyone else get on from the right? If so what's your reason?

I was discussing it with my friend the other day and she found it really strange.
I originally started when I damaged the ligaments in my left knee and spent time on crutches which weakened my knee? Once I was off crutches I probably started riding sooner than I should so couldn't really put much pressure on my knee, I'd get on from the right and ride without stirrups! It's become a habit now!
 
I got on from the right when I'd had an operation on my left foot and was still meant to be on crutches. I went back to getting on from the left again when it was healed as my horse was just less confused that way.
 
I know someone who used to alternate to even out pressure on the horse's back, which I thought was quite a good idea. Having tried to learn myself though, it's really difficult to swap all of those movements to the opposite leg/arm. Or maybe I'm just seriously uncoordinated ?
I'll have to get practicing this summer!
As far as I know, the only reason we get on from the left is because it is left over from when knights would have a sword on their hip and therefore couldn't get on from the off-side. So really, for modern riding there's no reason save tradition to only mount from the left.
 
I get on from the right, only because I broke my shoulder and now do not have the strength in my left arm to pull myself on. Horse doesn't mind at all.
 
I get on from the right sometimes, it is good to be able to do it in case you ever need to and as others have said good for pony/horse to be able to cope with the change. Definitely nothing odd about it.
But can I get off to the right. No, my brain just cannot cope with instructing my left leg to go back and over!
 
I seem to remember that one was required to dismount on the right as part of the BHS riding and road safety test. I was unable to do this so the RS left me off the exam list - they wanted 100% success rate.
The BHS later wrote to me that my physical limitations would have been allowed for and offered me the chance to take the test at another centre. I didnt do this - the important part for me was to do the training. But I thought it was excellent of them to write to me.
 
I've not tried it yet, but I think it is one of the TREC exercises and my instructors have said that it's useful to be able to mount and dismount from either side.
 
I'll probably have to when I start riding again. I've torn two muscles in my left calf and I've got no strength in it whatsoever.
5 weeks on I also have significant muscle wastage which is going to take a long time to build back up again.
 
I had to get on from the right when I did my BHS Riding and Road safety test. Actually with a little practice I found it quite easy, fortunately I had a saint of a horse who was only 15 hh and who was used to my incompetence. I think the theory was that it was safer to remount on the road from the right.
 
It’s so useful being able to get on from both sides, and have frequently mounted and dismounted from the right when needed.
 
Yes, K B is correct. For the Intermediate and Open levels of arena Trec we are often asked to mount from the off side. Also for Levels 3/4 for the three phase Trec. It can seem strange at first so good to practice frequently. I can even still do it on big horse (who is a total gentleman) at 73 yrs old!! TBH left knee not so hot now so off side mount may be the way for the future!
 
I have tried... but I struggle getting my left leg over the saddle, so whilst I will go through the motions in training, I always get on from the left
 
Great to hear I'm not the only one!

Getting on and off from both sides is something I teach any horse that I ride long term, I was always taught that whatever you teach from the left you teach from the right, so they often have saddles and rugs put on from the wrong side too!
 
Cob Life said:
Does anyone else get on from the right? If so what's your reason?

I was discussing it with my friend the other day and she found it really strange.
I originally started when I damaged the ligaments in my left knee and spent time on crutches which weakened my knee? Once I was off crutches I probably started riding sooner than I should so couldn't really put much pressure on my knee, I'd get on from the right and ride without stirrups! It's become a habit now!
Click to expand...

I don't get on from the right but only because I cannot. My body won't work that way. Even getting on a bicycle from the right is difficult for me. One day I thought enough's enough, and mounted my bike from the right and nearly fell off before I was on. (Felt like a complete klutz.)

It's only silly fashion that we mount from the left. (I think it originally started from having one's sword in one's way.) In my next life I am going to mount from both the right and the left.
 
Lois Lame said:
I don't get on from the right but only because I cannot. My body won't work that way. Even getting on a bicycle from the right is difficult for me. One day I thought enough's enough, and mounted my bike from the right and nearly fell off before I was on. (Felt like a complete klutz.)

It's only silly fashion that we mount from the left. (I think it originally started from having one's sword in one's way.) In my next life I am going to mount from both the right and the left.
Click to expand...
It started as I HAD to get on from the right or I couldn't ride for another month or 2 and I'd already had 2 months off so I was very determined!

My friends horse won't let you get on from the right! The cob I'm riding for her wouldn't stand to let you get on full stop so I've taught him from both sides.
 
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