Strange habits

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Annagain

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The "whip in which hand" thread got me thinking about strange habits we have as riders.

I always ride in gloves but cannot mount in them. I have to put them under the pommel and put them on once I'm on. My friend has to get off to change her stirrups. Neither thing has any logic or history behind it. Anyone else with a weird riding habit?
 
A long time ago I was told it was bad luck to put the saddle on before the bridle. So i always put the bridle on first - I cant help it!
 
I ride with a head tilt and have done since I started dressage training in my teens. Weirdly, it's a product of concentrating on my riding! It's very annoying and to this day (twenty years later) I still have to pull myself up on it.
 
I also never mount in gloves! I think it stems from days before I had my own horse and generally had to alter stirrup length which is easier gloveless. Now its just habit.
Not horsey but another weird thing I do is turn the radio off in my car to reverse or go round roundabouts?!! I didn't even realise I did it until a couple of years ago a farrier got a lot of stick at the yard for mentioning he couldn't cross a roundabout with the radio on. Everyone thought it hilarious ..... I sat quietly and minded my own business ;)
 
Another one who doesn't put gloves on until mounted. Mine go on once girth tightened. Even more of an issue now as yard gate controlled by mobile phone so can't do it in gloves. Riding mate has perfected the art of dialling with her nose...
 
I never put my feet in the stirrups to mount, we have quite a high mounting block. So I just stand on that and swing my leg straight over then put my feet in the stirrups when I’m on!

I can’t remember the last time I dismounted properly. Cavalry style dismount every time for me – I just find it easier and quicker :)

Also can’t wear gloves to do girth or put on bridle and I always put the saddle on first and bridle absolute last (even if it is bad luck) I just think it’s comfier for my horse as I usually tie up with a net of hay.
 
Merlod said:
I always put the saddle on first and bridle absolute last (even if it is bad luck) I just think it’s comfier for my horse as I usually tie up with a net of hay.
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Ahh, but there's a reason for that, it's logical. I'm talking about totally random silly things. I'll put my gloves on as soon as I'm on, then do my girth up, so not even that's a reason for me mounting with naked hands!
 
Also head down but I am terrible for clicking all the time and the occasional whoop and eeep when jumping. OH says you wouldn't know apart from the constant noises coming from me which suggest that not everything is under control!
 
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