Mounting using a block

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mickey

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I am the only person (pretty much) that I know who uses a mounting block. This is partly because after my spinal fusion I have trouble mounting from the ground, but also because I really would not be happy about the problems I could cause to my saddle and horse should I constantly mount from the ground.
Do you feel that you are in a minority when it comes to using a block?
 
Having wrenched my knee trying to heave myself onto a horse back in the summer whilst mounting from the ground (like I used to be able to do when I was 35 years younger,) I will always use a mounting block! There again I need to dismount on soft ground as I jarred it again when dismounting. Still hurts 5 months later!

If it hurt me getting on, think how the horse felt!
 
NOOOO not at all! I use one alllll the time. I won't mount from the ground as I'm not wrenching my horses back around, I'm not pulling my saddle out, and I'm not looking like and eeeediot whilst doing it!

mounting blocks should be used by all! even if it's a gate, a fence or a mound of dirt

I'm sure you're not in the minority!!
 
A lot of people at my yard use a block - the YM is always warning us of the risk of damaging the horse's back. I found out the other day that if I really needed to, I could get on without one... but I normally never get on from the floor.
 
I don't think i know anyone who would mount from the ground given a choice. I think it's more due to laziness though and making life easier for ourselves
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Would always try to find something to get on off.
 
I hope you don't hurt too much now! It is quite hard dismounting onto a block though, isn't it?
I saw some imagery a while ago (I think it was H&H) and it showed areas where a saddle had pulled across a horse's back on mounting from the floor....It was very interesting, I can't remember the exact details now, but it made me even more convinced not to mount from the floor. (Unless perhaps on a hack and having to dismount to do a tricky gate or something).
 
I use a mounting block when ever I can. Even to get on the 14.1hh cob. My back is b*ggered so it makes life a lot easier for me.
I do have to mount from the ground a lot out hunting. But on the bigger horses (16hh plus) I have a drop down stirrup to make my life a bit easier.
 
I use them most of the time- partly because I'm a bit of a midget and have absolutely no spring whatsoever (and can't time leg-ups), but mainly because it's so much better for the horse.

I can mount from the ground if it's necessary, but most of the time it's not, so I prefer to take the easiest option for me and the horse.
 
i shudder evertime i have to haul myself up without a block. always prefer to use one. although strangley my horse stands still went i mount from floor but can be a fidget next to a block. maybe he likes it afterall...
 
Most of the time at my yard uses one. I always do too, both for my pony and TB. Partly because the TB is not using to mounting from the ground yet, only leg ups before i got him as an exracer and now i'm getting him used to mounting blocks.
 
I don't think I know anyone who gets on off the floor unless they're hacking. Even then I get my horse to stand by a gate or something so I can climb up. Hes 17hh so I don't even try to get on off the floor!!!
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I cringe when people get on from the floor and haul on the saddle, so few people actually mount properly It is sooo bad for the horses back and for the saddle.

If i ever have to get off and theres no block about i either get a leg up or climb up a hedge!
 
I always use a block/ fence/ gate as it's much better for the horses back. I've also got stumpy legs
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and am not very flexible, so getting on off the ground is pretty tricky! My horse is 15.3 and can be a bit of a fidgit when getting on. He's only a baby and finds it quite boring standing still sometimes! I have images of him walking off with me hopping along after him with a foot in the stirrup!
My instructor made me get on from the "wrong" side the other week (using a mounting block). It felt sooooooo odd! Have never done it before, but I have been told that I am very right handed and that I need to make my left and right side more equal to help my horse to be balanced on both reins. So I've been leading on the wrong side, mounting on the wrong side(well, not very often!), texting with the wrong hand and generally making my left hand do more work!!! It is also better for his back getting on from both sides (even with a mounting block) which makes sense I guess!
 
always, always, always use a block- not for my benefit but for the horse.

if out hacking and i need to get off i will get back on using a gate/fence/high verge etc
 
I have to use a block because of my dodgy leg, and TBH I don't think i could get on from the floor if I tried! I can always find a gate or fence to climb on thankfully, and I even take my wee mounting block out to shows with me - it is a step stool from Ikea, £7!
 
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It is quite hard dismounting onto a block though, isn't it?


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After breaking my leg I had a high block built especially. My ID mare was easily trained to stand by it for dismounting as well as mounting. In fact she makes us laugh as she bustles up the yard to position herself next to it. Although if she is feeling 'amusing'she has been known to step away just at the wrong moment!
 
Always use a block the thought of hauling my self up the side of my unbalanced youngster is just too horrible to contemplate!

Funny though I moved to a new yard and they had no block so I utilised my practical OH to make a fantastic high block so you literally just step over the horse. Now everyone from the very limber teenagers to the tiny kids are using it.
 
I always use a block because I have stupidly short legs and can't even get on my 14.2hh without one lol! But I do find that most people don't use one and I always say 'Is there a block?' and people sort of look around blankly and go 'Oh yeh, erm...' lol.
 
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