Struggling to get my leg over

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teapot

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Don't laugh.

I seem to have lost the ability to get off properly over the past few months. I end up scrabbling off in the most ungracious way possible and wondering what on earth has happened? I'm not sure whether it's muscle memory, my brain, I've stiffened up or what. I used to be able to jump off any height easily and quickly with no issue, so any ideas?
 
With me it's age - I can't stretch my hips wide enough. I get off by throwing my right leg over the front of the saddle, like we used to ride "side saddle" as kids. Not the safest but my horse knows not to move. I struggle with mounting as well, I have to keep my right leg bent to get it over the cantle, but then I am the wrong side of mid '60's. It's easier if I ride at least every other day, longer than that and I struggle to settle in my saddle, on my really wide horse.
Worth a session with a physio if you can't blame it on age?
 
Sorry but laughing is the only reason I've come to this thread. Snarf snarf!
(Obviously nothing to do with your actual problem, I assumed you were after relationship advice)
 
pahahah ....


ok now I've stopped sniggering...

I seem to have lost the ability to dismount too. Got hooked up by my coat once getting off a big horse properly, then it was really uncomfortable to dismount properly when pregnant. 3 years on I still just chuck my leg over the front without thinking about it.
 
Norty!!

My friend who is a creaky, dismounts using the mounting block. I'm def getting creakier but I've started doing stretches which help a bit. Might be worth looking into physio etc before you totally seize up and they have to fork lift you off? ��
 
I am having a bit of trouble getting my leg over the cantle of the new(ish) saddle, so have opted for the military dismount :) I have got caught out with the very grippy stirups doing this once, but it does seem to be working reasonably well, might be worth giving it a go :)
 
I have to dismount by keeping my left leg in the stirrup and getting my right leg over hanging over the saddle then get my left foot out of the stirrup and lower myself down .
And it's never a good moment when you hit the ground .
 
I have difficulty too. I mostly dismount on the off side, and by just getting my toes on the stirrup I cxan kick it free whenI have swung my left leg over so I land on both feet. Initially I had to dismount on the off side by keeping my right foot in the stirrup until my left was on the ground. I cannot dismount without stirrups. But can mount ok on the near side.
 
I'm afraid I'm another that by choice will dismount with the leg over the front way. Due to a dodgy knee I've found that this way doesn't cause my leg to give way. Although have been riding a friends mare who only has one eye so have been having to dismount the normalway as to not startle her. And praying that i don't end in a heap on the floor.
 
I've taken to getting off on the mounting block - mine is extra high, so I can just step on to it. Still have to make all the appropriate groaning noises as I get off, just for effect
 
Goldenstar said:
I have to dismount by keeping my left leg in the stirrup and getting my right leg over hanging over the saddle then get my left foot out of the stirrup and lower myself down .
And it's never a good moment when you hit the ground .
Click to expand...

This is precisely what I do too! I also ride the horse into the end of the barn where the straw is kept and dismount there where there is a good deep covering - helps cushion the landing! :) Old age ain't good! :)
 
I thought it was just me! I had a break for over 10 years and I'm now riding again. I'm finding I'm having to throw myself off and my young horse isn't appreciating it much. I daren't get off with a foot still in the stirrup just in case she decides not to stand and I end up with my foot stuck. At least I can get off even though it isn't very dignified. :)
 
Since I broke my ribs and bought an air jacket I now line the horse up and get off on the mounting block. One because the landing hurts even now and two because if I did forget to unplug it would give me a second chance. Might be an option for you to you know, get it off. (Looks around innocently).
 
JFTD said:
Well quite. It's not a satisfying leg over experience without extensive groaning.
Click to expand...

Hahaha.

I'm not sure it's old age, unless turning 30 in a few weeks counts as getting old? It's same whatever I ride, from a 14.2 narrow pony to a 16.2 wide cob and anything in between. I think it started after riding the 16.2 over the winter, who didn't have the highest cantle but there was something about him (he was a bit of a twit) and his saddle that clearly made me aware of thinking about what I was doing.

So now when I go to get off, I'm a bit 'what do I do again, where do my hands ago, oh god my leg's stuck'. I've started resembling my RDA riders when they get off. Maybe I need to swing more and really mean wanting to get off? Wouldn't surprise me if my hips are stiff if my love life's anything to go by too.
 
I have resolved to be a bit less theatrical about dismounting in future. I was too busy doing groaning to watch where I was flopping off earlier. My mounting block is very high - so it was VERY lucky that Alf was there as I straightened up and realised that my centre of gravity was well over the end of said mounting block! I grabbed several bits of horse, at least one of which may have been an ear, and saved myself from a high velocity faceplant. Alf sighed deeply and rolled his eyes...
 
Hahahaha this thread and it's replies are cracking me up and making a rubbish day better, thanks all. I don't have a problem with the actual dismounting, but I do find it more comfortable to swing my leg over the front and drop down facing away from horsey. Getting off my highest horse (:P) is a bit jarring as a big drop to the ground..and after a 2 hour hack I walk like John Wayne
 
After breaking my leg a couple of years ago, I have perfected a flop-and-slither technique that is completely undignified, but does get me off the dang thing.
 
I get on, then get a horribly painful cramp/spasm in my hip flexors. The only way to relieve it is to lean forward, which is not a good idea as my ginger tit has a habit of pratting about when you get on.
 
Getting off is not something I have ever struggled with *har-de-har* :D

I am in the camp of throwing my leg over the back and landing on my feet. In winter when my toes are particularly cold though I do throw my leg over, lean on the saddle a bit and then lower myself slowly so as to avoid that impact foot pain!
 
These replies are priceless! My husband is watching a very serious Swedish drama with subtitles which isn't my bag, so I'm on HHO and trying not to snort!

My right hip is dodgy - just started recently - and even though it's more or less ok to get my leg over (snort), it's the landing which hurts most. I'm trying to land sort of hopping on my left foot, which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

Definitely age in my case, I'm sure. Boo.
 
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