How to give a leg-up

[Toz]

Hi
Just a quick one!
I might help on my yard at some point, which will include the usual mucking out, tacking up jobs etc, but also getting riders on for lessons, which may be young riders that haven't ridden before much, and don't use mounting blocks. How do I give a leg-up and what type of manner would you expect a helper to speak to clients when adjusting stirrup length etcetera?
Thanks

 

[Toz]

Forgot to add: this is a riding school, with few liveries, so not all are experienced with horses.
Also, any tips on leading horses round school on first-timer lessons?
Thanks

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Speak to the YO or instructor & they'll tell you the way tyhey want things done.

 

[Toz]

Thanks for replying YO isn't too organised, and on busy Saturdays there can be three 6-horse rides getting on at once so I wouldn't be able to ask. Does anyone have a step-by-step guide of legging up? Can't find one anywhere! Thanks

 

[Tnavas]

Toz - as an ex riding school owner - DON'T give leg ups!

1 With a novice rider you will end up with your back screwed up as they don't have the knack of being legged up.

2 You won't always be there to leg them on they NEED to learn to get on - I never allowed the kids at the school to have leg ups - they used the mounting block or learned to get on from the ground.

When I first took over the school they'd al stand there like wimps waiting to be legged on - they got a bit of a shock when told they had to get themselves up there - hold the stirrup on the other side to lesson the drag on the saddle, but most children are lithe enough to get on the pony.

The best thing is for you to be able to describe the mounting process correctly.

f the rider is heavy then they MUST use a mounting block to help the horse. Little ones can also use the mounting block to be able to mount correctly - just gets them a little closer to the pony.

I even get kids at Pony Club who have been riding at a school for a couple of years still unable to mount unaided. They have it sussed by the end of the lesson.

Children who are left handed sometimes find getting on on the near side quite difficult.

 

[Toz]

Thanks very much, I will definitely take that on board! The left-handed thing is interesting too... Maybe that's why I've always struggled to get on from the ground!!! Thanks again

 

[Baileybones]

Ok leg ups aren't great fun with novices and I'm surprised there aren't mounting blocks at a riding school but it is what it is.

Your first job is going to be getting the child to the correct side on the pony without them walking around the rear end (most small children appear to be preprogramed to self harm!). Depending on the age of the child I tend to place a hand on either their hat or a shoulder and help manoeuvre them to where I want them to be. Don't worry about giving them reins to hold - most riding school ponies will be in a semi coma at this point so you should be able to link your arm through the reins at the same time as legging up child assuming you're not spoilt with a leader at the head of the pony.

Ask the child to bend the right leg - I show them which leg I mean by tapping them on the back of the knee. Then explain that you are going to count to three and then they are going to jump. Count to 3 and then leg up. If really dinky tot I'll have my left arm through reins and around child's waist and right arm on the leg so I can guide them into saddle and not fire them off the other side.
Point to remember - ponies (mainly the bl**dy shetlands) may use this opportunity to bite your butt if no leader at the front - be prepared to growl!)

As for stirrups don't expect to find a pair of leathers on any saddle - twists will soon become your friend! Children all want to ride like jockeys so use your initiative and find the correct length. Once you think they look ok ask them to stand up in the stirrups which will help you see if rising trot is going to be achievable.

With regards leading just remember to always be on the inside track and don't expect your rider to still be holding the reins properly even though you've already shown them several times how to do it. I tend to put my own hand at the correct length and then tell them to put their hand where mine is. Teasing them about washing line reins tends to keep them laughing.

If you're leading in a lesson keep an ear out for the instructor and also half an eye on those in front or behind of you. Don't get distracted and walk up the bottom of the one in front - poo stops often happen with no warning! Also don't assume that the leader behind you won't walk up your horses butt!

If yours stops for a toilet break call out that this has occurred so the others and the instructor are aware.

When leading if your child is small or the pony particularly bouncy and wide you may need to support the leg as well in trot. Do this by having your left hand on the child's leg and your right hand on the cheekpiece (ideally there will be a headcollar on under the bridle so you need not interfere with the bit). Even if you have a rope I'd be inclined to have a hand on the ponies head so the little sod doesn't swing round and chew you part way to the rear of the ride!

Hope this helps you, good luck and enjoy x

 

[mulledwhine]

Toz - as an ex riding school owner - DON'T give leg ups!

1 With a novice rider you will end up with your back screwed up as they don't have the knack of being legged up.

2 You won't always be there to leg them on they NEED to learn to get on - I never allowed the kids at the school to have leg ups - they used the mounting block or learned to get on from the ground.

When I first took over the school they'd al stand there like wimps waiting to be legged on - they got a bit of a shock when told they had to get themselves up there - hold the stirrup on the other side to lesson the drag on the saddle, but most children are lithe enough to get on the pony.

The best thing is for you to be able to describe the mounting process correctly.

f the rider is heavy then they MUST use a mounting block to help the horse. Little ones can also use the mounting block to be able to mount correctly - just gets them a little closer to the pony.

I even get kids at Pony Club who have been riding at a school for a couple of years still unable to mount unaided. They have it sussed by the end of the lesson.

Children who are left handed sometimes find getting on on the near side quite difficult.

As a lefty I agree, I still find it difficult

I have begun to think that mounting from the floor is not great though, a lot of pressure pulling from one side of the body can't be good!!! But a skill that has to be learned if ever come off with nothing around to help!!

 

[mulledwhine]

Just realised I actually did not answer the question, bialy bones said everything I was going to

 

[Tnavas]

Just realised I actually did not answer the question, bialy bones said everything I was going to

You also got your lefts and rights muddled too! lol

If you insist on giving leg ups then one of the most important things to explain is that they MUST keep their hips straight until they have their right leg is over the pony's back and not flop over as they reach pony height - this is what hurts the person giving the leg up.

When leading a pony and assisting you MUST always keep either a hand on the rein or on the lead rein - which I seriously hope will be on the pony and attached to the noseband.

Whichever direction you are leading - your inside hand is placed on the riders leg, just below the knee and the outside hand holds the lead.

Any pony stopping for a toilet break needs sorting out! It needs to be sent on. It is disrupting for the rest of the class.

mulledwine - you must have had a very bad experience of riding schools! In only one school have I met with sluggish ponies and that was because they weren't fed for the work they were doing.

All mine were lovely and free moving and well schooled - I used the older more experienced riders to work with anyone not being a helpful pony.

 

[Toz]

That's really helpful everyone! There is a mounting block, but only the bigger horses use it (I don't know why, that's just how we do it!)
Thanks for the extra help about young children- they can be accident-prone and I'm sure your tips about steering them round the front end of the horse will really help!
Any tips on getting the right stirrup length by eye?
Thanks for all the help, it is much appreciated!

 

[mulledwhine]

You also got your lefts and rights muddled too! lol

If you insist on giving leg ups then one of the most important things to explain is that they MUST keep their hips straight until they have their right leg is over the pony's back and not flop over as they reach pony height - this is what hurts the person giving the leg up.

When leading a pony and assisting you MUST always keep either a hand on the rein or on the lead rein - which I seriously hope will be on the pony and attached to the noseband.

Whichever direction you are leading - your inside hand is placed on the riders leg, just below the knee and the outside hand holds the lead.

Any pony stopping for a toilet break needs sorting out! It needs to be sent on. It is disrupting for the rest of the class.

mulledwine - you must have had a very bad experience of riding schools! In only one school have I met with sluggish ponies and that was because they weren't fed for the work they were doing.

All mine were lovely and free moving and well schooled - I used the older more experienced riders to work with anyone not being a helpful pony.

I agree, I only commented on another post, not my words , seems mobile version has other glitches

 

[mulledwhine]

Although , my one thing on reading your post , what do you consider a toilet break? Poo's a horse can walk and do, a wee , they need to stop !!!!

But every one knows that any way x

 

[Tnavas]

I agree, I only commented on another post, not my words , seems mobile version has other glitches

Apologies Mulledwine - I should have quoted Baileybones post - this is what happens when you should be in bed asleep like all the other good little Kiwi's!

 

[Baileybones]

You also got your lefts and rights muddled too! lol

If you insist on giving leg ups then one of the most important things to explain is that they MUST keep their hips straight until they have their right leg is over the pony's back and not flop over as they reach pony height - this is what hurts the person giving the leg up.

When leading a pony and assisting you MUST always keep either a hand on the rein or on the lead rein - which I seriously hope will be on the pony and attached to the noseband.

Whichever direction you are leading - your inside hand is placed on the riders leg, just below the knee and the outside hand holds the lead.

Any pony stopping for a toilet break needs sorting out! It needs to be sent on. It is disrupting for the rest of the class.

mulledwine - you must have had a very bad experience of riding schools! In only one school have I met with sluggish ponies and that was because they weren't fed for the work they were doing.

All mine were lovely and free moving and well schooled - I used the older more experienced riders to work with anyone not being a helpful pony.

What a wonderful establishment you must have run ;-)
Free moving and well schooled - most I've met look like cuts and shuts and normally regard small children in much the same way the do horse flies!
That said they work hard and look after the small people so they do exactly what is asked of them.
Can't help wonder which of our experiences with riding school ponies is more the norm?

 

[Tnavas]

What a wonderful establishment you must have run ;-)
Free moving and well schooled - most I've met look like cuts and shuts and normally regard small children in much the same way the do horse flies!
That said they work hard and look after the small people so they do exactly what is asked of them.
Can't help wonder which of our experiences with riding school ponies is more the norm?

I've worked in a few over the years - only one I would love to name and shame but I think it has now been sold on.

 

[mandwhy]

Haha, sadly I think Baileybones' account of being a riding school helper is more similar to my own!

I think its all been covered really OP, for stirrup length you could get the person to pull the stirrup to their armpit before they get on, thats meant to be a way of working it out, I find it helpful to have it vaguely right before they get on and then adjust. Just make sure you walk to the front of the horse and look to see if they are level, a lot of people are wonky, and you can't count on the numbers on the leathers as they will inevitably have stretched unevenly!

I can't stand a leg up personally, who wants to be awkwardly heaved on by some poor helper when you can use a mounting block and save your dignity! Or if you're small propelled off the other side!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

As a rough guide for the stirrups, aside from the armpit trick, the bottom of the stirrup will usually be level with the riders ankle when they have a relaxed leg. Give or take a few holes. Also, check if they want the pony sending on when he's doing droppings, the place I work at doesn't as they have a very nice school surface down, and having one pile of manure means it can be picked up without missing any, and the rest of the ride won't accidentally ride through it.

 

[Toz]

Thanks everyone, will bear that in mind!