Why?

[parsley]

should you get on by starting facing the horse's quarters and hopping around to face the head before putting your leg over the saddle? I was always told off for putting my foot in the stirrup while facing the head and then just sticking my leg over the saddle. It seems sensless to me to spend time hopping around with your foot in the stirrup - I was told it is because the horse might walk off if you start facing the head and then you would get left behind. I have always accepted this (still get on the wrong way though) until now when I was thinking it still doesn't make sense to me.

AND

 

[Tinkerbee]

erm

*tries to think*

I have no sodding idea which I do

probably both

 

[parsley]

I was told off for it regularly about 30 odd years ago - perhaps it doesn't matter any more?

 

[sugarnspice]

I don't know what I do! Think I half do it the proper way, face the saddle, with my foot in the stirrup, then hopping round to face the head for momentum to spring up and then swinging the other leg over the saddle.
I think

.

 

[apkelly01]

I always use a mounting block so I always face the head

 

[Pinkwellies2]

I answered facing quarters which is what I would do if mounting from ground but really I climb on the fence and am usually looking in front of me.
Do you think it goes back to the olden days when men wore swords, I know thats why we get on on the left so I suppose if you wear your sword on your right side if you faced the front of the horse the sword would be between you and the horse.

 

[Weezy]

I think it is because you twist the stirrup leather round the right way more automatically correctly if you face the bum. I face the bum, or on mounting block I face the saddle.

 

[LCobby]

If the horse moves forward, you end up falling on yout btm
If you are facing the tail, the forward movement is in the same direction and lifts you, rather than dropping you,
You can also swing your right leg out away from the horse and up
If you are facing the front, your right leg, which needs to swing, is against the horse's side. so could put a knee into his ribs
Fidgety horse more likely to walk forwards than backwards.

I use a mounting block but do not face the horses head,

 

[pocket]

[ QUOTE ]
I always use a mounting block so I always face the head

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah i always use a mounting block, Ralphs too big and I'd be on the ground for about a week trying to get on

 

[hadfos]

[ QUOTE ]
I always use a mounting block so I always face the head

[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto!!

Not as young as i used to be and it is a bloody long way up!!!lol!!Used to do the facing bum thing and spin round to give the push for getting off ground!!!

 

[lucemoose]

I face over the horse! Western style..

 

[woolly]

Historically it was as pinkwellies has said...Your sword would get in the way otherwise lol!!!!I find that's not some much of a problem now!

 

[Cop-Pop]

Erm.... I kind of face the quarters then go up and twist in way up - wasn't aware I was meant to hop