Using a mounting block

What do you do?

  • Total voters
    0
Fools Motto

Fools Motto

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 June 2011
Messages
6,600
Visit site
Who does or doesn't, and is there a major reason for your choice?

I've been told at work, to get on the polo ponies from the ground... trouble is, I'm not the worlds most 'springy off the floor' person, and 9/10 I ALWAYS use something to help. I've also got it in my mind that it is better for the horses back. I'm also not the worlds lightest person, (10.5 st) and would feel mortified if something like the saddle slips!!
My boss and her kids are much more bouncy than me, not to mention lighter, so I'm sure it is fine for them... just not lard ass me!!!
What would you do? Do as told (and make a dogs dinner of it!!) or carry on as normal and assume that subject won't get mentioned for a while!?


But, just out of interest, what do YOU do??
 
Always a mounting block for me - quite frankly most things I ride are so big I'd never get on from the floor.

And of course, it's much better for their backs.

But, if needs be I can get on from the floor.
 
Have put 'always' but am more than capable of mounting from the floor if absolutely necessary - e.g. for BHS Trec you have to be able to mount from the off side from the floor :) It's rare that I can't find a tree stump/bank/wall to hop on from out hacking and always use the mounting block at the yard/school.

So it's a very-nearly always for me, just to be difficult :p
 
I'm also worried about their backs... they share saddles, and they all feel a bit sore when grooming them.
I've also noticed that over time they are all getting a bit 'snappy' with their girths, which out of interest I do up gently and slowly, followed by walking them down the yard before I get on and re-do my girth.

Arhh, do as am told, or do as what I think the horses prefer?
 
I'm the same as Rhino - I mount from 'something to help' if I can (which is 99% of the time), but will mount from the ground (from either side) if there isn't anything, or if nut job is being a div and it's easier/safer to just jump on quickly from the ground.
 
We are lucky that we have a MB in the car park and the school so everyone tends to it, much better for the horse and your saddle/stirrup leathers.

Although I do think it's important that every so often (once in a blue moon sort of thing) you can still make sure you can mount from the ground and your horse still has the manner to stand while you do etc, athough I've not attempted in long time, so I probably will struggle also! :o
 
Always get on off something - block at the yard and tree stump, fence, whatever when out. I am sure I couldn't get off the ground these days (although I wish I could!) and I'm sure it must be better for their backs to be as gentle as possible.

Interestingly, in France where I ride on holiday, they were bemused by my request for a mounting block (didn't really know what I was talking about!). I explained it was usual in the UK and it was felt to be better for their backs. When I went back the following year, they had bought me a little step ladder :D:D
 
I am on a SJ yard and I have always been told to mount from a block or get a leg up. I have been given the following reasons - horses back & your saddle (repeated uneven strain as you always get on the same side). Also being jumpers we ride with short stirrups so for most horses/riders it means dropping the stirrup to put it back up again. I also have the bow balance sprung stirrups and I also find these more difficult when mounting from the floor.

Sharing saddles is unfortunately very common practice on a professional yard, so I don't think you'd get anywhere with this. Where we are saddles do get reflocked and then set on a specific horse, but this is often considered "soft" and "fussy" by many.

I can understand you don't want to get on from the floor, it is difficult when you are pushed to go against your natural instincts by those who you work with.
 
Always a block/step/fence/tree stump - unless there is no other choice out hacking!

Main reason is I have badly damaged knees and my kneecap is liable to dislocate if I try and put my weight on it bent and also to protect pony's back and saddle.

I can, now and then, get on from the ground as she is only 14.2hh but it is awfully inelegant and leads to saddle slip due to me heaving myself up. I had to do it last weekend though as fallen branches were blocking the bidleway after all that wind and rain. There was no other choice other than a long walk home - so I can do it, if I really have to, but always look for alternative.

I can get on either side and pony is very good at positioning herself at gates/walls etc to help - she seems to understand what is required :)
 
90% of the time I use a mounting block however there are instances when I cant e.g. there isn't one in the school if I drop my whip. I can get on from the ground however it is quite a challenge when the smallest I normally ride is 16.2/3!

But I would always chose to use a mounting block/something if it is possible.
 
I put always get a leg up, as currently re-backing my mare so it means I can lean over before swinging leg over and sitting up.

On my 'derustifying' lessons, I use a mounting block.

Actually I'm not sure if I could mound from the ground currently :o
 
Mounting block but i can get on from the ground if needed, and from either side as i always thought it would be a good thing to be able to do.....although i'k 5'6 and getting on my sisters 16'2 tb would be a challange :D
 
I prefer to use a mounting block, or wall/tree stump/mound etc, but can get on from the ground if I need to. I used to be able to mount from the offside too, but I doubt I could do it now though - I lack the co-ordination :o

I really really hate leg ups!
 
Always a block! I am 5'11 so you'd think it would be easier but I think it just means there is more of me to haul up! I can JUST get on from the ground (my poor old knees have improved a bit with lots of rising trot!) but will always use a milk crate, gate or fence if I can! Fence is always amusing, sometimes I end up straddling the fence the wrong way and horsey looking at me confused and wandering off sideways!
 
Always from a block or something anyway, i'm well practised in finding high bits to stand on.
Rog is cold backed so it also means i can get on with his girth a bit looser
 
I get on mine mostly from the floor, but she's 14.2 & I'm 5'10 & reasonably springy & light. On the whole I prefer to use a mounting block for the benefit of horse & saddle, but still able to get on a fidgeting 17.2 out hacking from the floor if needs be.
 
I must confess, I am that 1% who voted mounting from the ground regardless. Did it by accident as I read mounting block! Although my YO has forced me to mount a 17.3 eventer on the ground with my short legs and 5'4 several times. I can do it but I feel awful :(
 
I normally mount from the front of my landy or a convenient fence or bucket, but if needs be, I'm quite happy to scramble up from the ground (as rhino says, TREC).

The highland will also kneel for me to jump on, of course ;)
 
use something most of the time especially for my 17.2hh as i cant get myleg that high.. im only 5'4ft but i can get on off the floor if i reallyhave to. anything like a 13hh pony i will get on off the floor but i will use a mounting block most of the time as i always make a pigs ear of it and end up falling off the other side :o i dont like leg ups as have been thrown straight over the top more than once :o
 
always a block because a) he's 16.2hh, b) I'm not very supple these days and c) my instructor freaked me out telling me about a lecture she went to where they look at photos from horse autopsies that showed that the majority of horses have one sided muscle damaage from being mounted from the ground :o
 
Always use a mounting block. I'm only 5ft2 and usually riding 16hh+ horses with fairly short stirrups. I'd rather use a block than hop around and attempt to scramble on 16hh of (normally hyperactive tb) from the ground.

Also I don't like putting the strain on their backs or stretching my left stirrup.

I'd rather get a leg up than mount from the ground, though they stress me out a bit. 9 times out of 10 they are fine but every now and then you jump at the wrong time and it's rather awkward when the person is left desperately trying to haul you on board with no momentum!
 
Last edited:
I'm a shortie, so always need something to help. Wether it be a block, fence, pallets, leg up of whatever is handy!!
If needs must I can get on from the floor though, from both sides!
 
I always try to get on from something whether block, or jump block, or a leg up and I'm 5ft10, whatever height I'm riding :)
 
I had a particularly high block built after I broke my ankle but for many years I have preferred to mount from a plastic block, it is much better for the horse's back and I usually ride big horses but always got onto the 14.3hh from a block. If I have to get off on a hack I need to look for something to help because i am definitely not as springy as I used to be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top