Mounting from the ground.

kerilli

kerilli

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i went to try a horse today, and the rider declined my offer of a leg-up and got onto it from the ground. she then hauled herself on - not much spring at all.
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does anyone else still do this? i never ever ever mount from the ground any more, since a very good saddler told me that it can damage saddles (especially dressage saddles with a narrow twist), and a physio told me about someone she knew who had done research in abbatoirs, and every horse's body she examined post mortem had muscle damage and bruising down the right side of the spine... evidently from mounting.
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i hope that anyone reading this who still mounts from the floor will stop... it is so bad for horses.
 
I always mount from the ground, from whichever side is closest - I'm a very springy person
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. However I never ever allow any of my (less stealthlike) customers mount from the ground.
 
I have a very good mounting block that hubby made for me. I don't mount from the ground, simply because I can't lift my leg up that high without falling over!
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Nope, no matter how much spring you have you're ruining your horses back & your saddle. If you're out hacking & there's no choice then obviously it's an exception
 
.....did I mention I ride bareback 50% of the time? I also spring from the ground when bareback riding too. Haven't had a horse with a bad back to date and I can't see how it could possibly ruin a western saddle, not that it would bother me mind you. My saddles take a heck of a lot more hard work than just me getting on and off them, LOL!!
 
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.....did I mention I ride bareback 50% of the time? I also spring from the ground when bareback riding too.

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You show off, you!
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So what height is your max for vaulting on??

I once saw Mark Todd vault on to his 16.2hh and was very jealous. Being rotund and short really doesn't help!
 
I can get on my 16.3hh Appy but he has to be downhill from me. Most of my Quarter Horses are around the 15hh mark so they are easy to get on.
 
not at all shameful. okay, the army boys (and Mark Todd!) who can vault onto a 17.2 leave my jaw dropping, but otherwise it really only does harm. since i stopped getting on from the ground years ago, i now find it exceptionally difficult... especially on my 18 hander... i've been known to walk literally miles to find a ditch to stick him in so i can mount, if there's no gates about!
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I always mount from a block or fence if at all possible. I feel bad if I have to haul myself on!!! I almost gave someone a hernia when they held my stirrup at a show (horse rudely walked off!). I'm not even that heavy, honest!!
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My view is that if you should swap your stirrup leathers over because the mounting side one will stretch with time...... should you also swap over the muscles on your horses back as surely they will also be stretched and spoiled.

I always get on from a block and merlin sidles up to it for me to get on and off..... especially off!!!
 
LOL - I can get my leg in the stirrup - and then I'm stuck...no bounce at all.

I always use a mounting block.
Incidentally - why is the damage on the right hand side of a horse, when we mount from the left? I know, I know - I'm thick.....
 
I always get on from a mounting block unless I have to get off whilst out hacking ie dropped whip/map/glove/dumped etc I can get on from the floor but I don't like doing it as I am worried I will hurt her back
 
I'm getting the horse whisperer out soon to help me sort out mounting from the ground. Charlie goes forward, backwards, sideways, headbutts me to stop me getting on him from the ground. I cannot open and close some of the gates around my yard on hacks without dismounting and remounting from the ground!
 
I always get a leg up or use the mounting block. Better for the saddle & the horse's back, not to mention my dignity!! Prob couldn't get on from the ground any more even if I wanted to!!
 
I mount (often from ground level) my horse from the right and the left hand side, so as to try and balance the stress over the time on his spine. I do try to be as careful as possible and gradually ease myself down into the saddle so as not to jolt his back.

Mounting from the right is one of the Trec exercises !
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I never mount from the ground!
A) my boy is 22 so it is easier on him.
B) I have NO spring whatsoever so I would probably walk home if I had to get off druring a hack (from a horse bigger than 15hh)
 
I generally use a front tractor wheel or the side of the arena.

At a show I now have a lovely pink plastic step!!

Tia - could you vault on a hogged horse or do you need a bit of mane to hang on to???
 
Not allowed to get on from the ground at my RS - mounting block or leg up

If I'm riding elsewhere, I'll always try and find something to stand on to get on. Unless it's a pony as I've got long legs and can spring (normally firing myself over said pony as forget that they're ickle)
 
I use the perfectly situated picnic bench on the yard, lol
Can get on my boy from the ground, but at 18hh and refusing to stand still, can be a problem sometimes
 
Ahh hogged horse might be tricky!
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I guess I'd have to take a run at a hogged horse rather than vaulting from the side. I stand to the side of mine, take a piece of mane and spring on all in one fluid movement. I certainly don't do any scrambling or clinging - that would be very unladylike
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Don't think I stand a chance with my boys - I could vault rather inelegantly onto a 14.1hh when I was younger

A hogged flat withered (so big) 16hh is impossible!!
 
I always get on using a mountain block when at home, and if im at a show i always get a leg up, however out on hacks i can leap onto harry easily as he is so diddy and i can just hop on- just put my foot in the stirrup and ping up (i have to do it quickly anyway before he gallops off!
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), but with tara i have to get on using a gate (As that is usually the only reason i have to get off on a hack anyway).
 
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