Mounting Blocks

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Mythical

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Does anyone know if there's such a thing as a mounting block with a handle you can reach once you're on, to move the block & dump it over the gate/in a corner?

I've seen one used before (a proper, plastic mounting block, not a stepladder), but now I'm looking for one for sale, I'm coming up with nothing.

Second question, any tips on getting a horse accustomed to my picking the block up?
 
My 2-step plastic mounting block from Robinsons (now 6 years old and as good as new) has a rope handle on it but, depending on how big your horse is, you'd need to be pretty fit to reach down to pick it up. Possible though, but as you lobbed it over a gate it would make a fairly horrendous crashing noise! You'd need to practice by letting horse get used to it while it was stationary on the ground. Then start kicking it around a bit. Then, standing by horse's side, lift it and drop it over and over again, gradually increasing the height you drop it from. Then get some1 to pass it to you while you're in the saddle and practice just dropping it. Then practic bending over from the saddle to pick easier things up before tackling the mounting block. Could take an hour or 6 weeks depending on your horse's attitude to life and your own agility! An easier option is to google LegUp and treat yourself to one. Its a loop of webbing strap with a rigid stirrup-like bottrom tread. You just hook it through your own, normal length stirrup. The effect is that it "lowers" your stirrup level by about 5 inches. You hop up, no mounting block needed, reach down to your stirrup and slip the LegUp out and into your pocket and off you go!
 
Could you not use a length of rope and attach it to the block and then drag it from your horse. Just get the horse used to it by dragging the block inhand alongside I guess, should be easy enough. I use a water butt stand as my 'portable block' and that has a little handle at ground level to tie a rope to or else easy enough to drill a hole to attach one :)
 
What about one of those stirrup mounts that you can use and then either stick in your pocket or drop it down by the wall until you get back?
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I suspected I was going to have to look into macgyvering something. I have a few ideas to look into. I was just hoping I'd get to treat myself.

I've seen those stirrup extenders before - would using one of those be better for the horse's back than...well than not using one? I can mount from the ground if I really have to, but it isn't pretty and it can't be pleasant for the horse!
 
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