Problem dismounting

[irishredwood]

I had a hip replacement (right one) nine months ago and thought I was ready to start riding again
So yesterday I went for a session on a mechanical horse and got on OK until it got to getting off. I really struggled to swing my right leg over the cantle. Anyone out there had a similar problem and overcome it?
Thsnks

 

[FestiveG]

Would a "military " dismount work? So keeping your left foot in the stirrup to help your right leg to go over the cantle. I do that with the solutions saddle, as otherwise I can get stuck.

 

[teddypops]

Can you get off on the off side instead?

 

[AmyMay]

Can you get off on the off side instead?

This x

 

[jnb]

Get off the wrong side by stepping onto a large mounting block. Or leg over front of saddle then onto big block?

 

[dorsetladette]

I swing my leg forward instead of backwards for this very reason.

 

[Britestar]

I'm 5 months out left thr after a fracture.
I cannot mount or dismount on the 'correct' side.
I've got off on the wrong side for years, after blowing ligaments in my left knee, so it's been easier. However, I do leave my right foot in the stirrup until both legs are together, then slide down the side.

 

[catkin]

Being a crocky old bat I dismount on the 'wrong' side. It's a very inelegant version of what you may do with a youngster, feet out of stirrups, swing leg over, lay across the saddle on your tum then slither down to the floor.

 

[Skib]

I do the military dismount and always have done. I was shown how at my first riding lesson and could not have ridden without it. By standing in the stirrup one gains height to swing ones right leg over the cantle. But you do need to hold your left knee straight, so it might not help those with problem knees.

 

[smiggy]

My dodgy hips can’t take a leg swing back over a dressage saddle high cantle, leaving foot in stirrup is the way forward as others say.
only occurred to me after doing western riding as that’s how they dismount.
not very bhs but probably safer than my previous method of taking leg forward and sliding off with back to saddle

 

[lme]

I have an arthritic hip and usually swing my leg forward over my horse’s neck to dismount. I actually find it safer than a ‘military dismount’ as, worst case, I don’t have a foot in the stirrup. Horses I have ridden (including green 4yos) have been remarkably tolerant.

 

[irishredwood]

Would a "military " dismount work? So keeping your left foot in the stirrup to help your right leg to go over the cantle. I do that with the solutions saddle, as otherwise I can get stuck.

I feel that could be a bit hazardous as my mare could not be guaranteed to stand still.

 

[irishredwood]

Can you get off on the off side instead?

Not sure my brain could cope with that!

 

[irishredwood]

I'm 5 months out left thr after a fracture.
I cannot mount or dismount on the 'correct' side.
I've got off on the wrong side for years, after blowing ligaments in my left knee, so it's been easier. However, I do leave my left foot in the stirrup until both legs are together, then slide down the side.

I will have a go at this, if I can
time the getting rid of the stirrup correctly.

 

[ihatework]

Anchoring on a neck strap can give you a fair amount of extra leverage. Worth a go

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I get off onto a high (4 step) mounting block. Horse definitely needs to stand still.

 

[Arzada]

I really struggled to swing my right leg over the cantle. Anyone out there had a similar problem and overcome it?

Yes. I swing my left leg over the cantle. Prior to only being able to do this from one side of the horse I regularly would mount and dismount from both sides (not simultaneously ) Better for me, better for the horse and very useful at times).

 

[suebou]

I’m having a left hip replacement in ten days and have just shared this thread with husband, who said ‘ I don’t suppose anyone thought of giving up riding?’ After all these years, he hasn’t learnt much has he?!

 

[Britestar]

I’m having a left hip replacement in ten days and have just shared this thread with husband, who said ‘ I don’t suppose anyone thought of giving up riding?’ After all these years, he hasn’t learnt much has he?!

Of course the first question was... when can I ride again!
I was 13 weeks PO, by the way. Christmas day, best pressie ever!

 

[irishredwood]

Update. I can now dismount in the usual way.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

So happy to read this Redwood. I had my right hip replaced in October 21 and should have my left one done in April sometime. My biggest worry is will I be able to get on and off still. I already have a very high mounting block as my then horse was 17.3 and the hips were already too painful to get on and off any other way. I shall be buying a smaller horse at the end of this summer but will use my retired 16.2 mare to practice getting on and off.

Unfortunately I have also developed bursitis in the new hip side so that has held me back hugely with rehab exercises, I cant even swing my leg over a low chair let alone anything remotely as high as even a very small horse lol!

I'd love to hear how you progress if you find time to update again with how you are doing. Sooo jealous!

 

[suebou]

I’m now ten days post op. All going well so far, went to see horses properly today, I’d like to say they were pleased to see me, but I don’t think they really cared!

 

[Skib]

I feel that [a military dismount] could be a bit hazardous as my mare could not be guaranteed to stand still.

I could never have ridden without the dismount. from my very first lesson.
One should indeed have someone holding one's horse for the cavalry dismount. And preferably on the off side, to grab the stirrup if the saddle slips when ones weight is in the left stirrup.
If you cant clear the cantle with your right leg, you can always shorten the left stirrup by a hole. It also helps to stand up in the stirrups and sit down again a few times before dismounting, to loosen up.

If you dismount this way regularly, your body seems to get the message and co-ordinate. I had a long gap in riding after a fall and last week both getting on and off the horse proved quite scarey. A reak problem. Today (somewhat to my surprise) it was quick and easy. That may be because today I had ridden quite a lot of rising trot. I am a bit saddle sore tonight.