mounting/dismounting and height of horse, for more mature riders

HeatherAnn said:
@ladydragon - I'm actually gobsmacked haha. I can't even touch my toes and I'm less than half your age. Putting me to shame!!
Click to expand...

Oh no, don't think of it that way HeatherAnn... I'm clinically hyperflexible in my joints and did many years of competitive gymnastics in my youth... My own rugrats hate the fact I'm more bendy than they are... :)

The point I was trying (badly) to make is that yes, I think everyone should work on being as flexible as they can - just for overall health and well being if nothing else... But the ageing process does have some detrimental effects as the rest of me is pretty dire these days... :o
 
If it makes you feel any better, I'm in my 40s and I never get on my 13.3 from the ground! I use a mounting block and just step across. I know I probably look daft but hey! I don't have the spring I used to have.
 
Well, I am 56, 5'4" and short legged, and the days when I could put my left foot up by my left ear are long gone - I used to hop onto 16.2s with no problem! I have had operations on both of my knees too, which doesn't help. Mounting from a mounting block of a decent height and good stability is definitely the most dignified way to do it. Getting off I use the 'slither down the side' method to try and stop jarring.
 
This might sound a silly Q but I was wondering about dismounting...

Have any of the mature ladies found it easier to throw a leg over the neck and slide down between the hands on each side of the saddle vs lifting a leg over the rump (high cantles are 'interesting') in the usual way?

I used to dismount the former way when I was younger - especially bare back... But when I've mulled both options over it's more the landing I'm concerned about... Traditional method = land on bum if it goes wrong rather than face planting the floor but I don't know if I'm over thinking it... :D
 
As Vicky B really, but if you can't get back on out hacking put the horse in a ditch and stand on a bank. It works! Plus large mountain block at home.
 
I am 5'5 and a little over 11 stone!

My big boy is 17hh but I also use a mounting block for the 15 hander! It's better for their backs

On my big lad I do a reverse dismount onto the mounting block. Infact I'm just starting to train him to let me mount off gates/walls hedges etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top