From: Mindy
Hi! I have had a lot of fun reading various articles on your site. I just have one question though. Although I have ridden many times, I still have trouble mounting the saddle from the ground. I always seem to need a mounting stool. Is there anything that could possibly help me in mounting? Maybe a special technique, or some little thing that I just don't know about to make it easier for me?
Thank you very much for taking your time to read this. I appreciate it so much.
Sincerely, Mindy
Hi Mindy!
It's a good idea to know how to mount from the ground -- every rider should be able to do this. But once you've learned how, and can do it if you have to, I suggest that you do it as infrequently as possible (only when you really have no choice).
My number one rule re mounting from the ground is this: try to avoid it if possible! Use a mounting block (or anything else convenient): It's really infinitely less stressful and damaging for your horse's back, your saddle tree, and your own back.
Be creative. A mounting block doesn't have to be a purpose-built mounting block made from wood or stone. If there's no mounting block, look for something else that might serve in its stead. An overturned bucket, a chunk of log, a large rock, a fire hydrant.... I've used all of these. ;-)
If there is NOTHING around to stand on, try standing your horse on the low side of a slope, or in a ditch.
And yes, now I'll answer your question.
If you must mount from the ground, do it in a way that will cause the least damage to (a) your horse's back, (b) your saddle, and (c) your own back.
Stand close to your horse -- as close as you can get. Trying to climb on from even a short distance will put an incredible amount of torque on all of the items mentioned above.
As for how to mount: think about how you would get yourself up and out of a swimming pool if there weren't any steps or ladder. I'm sure you've done this before! The key to getting out is to stand as close as you can to the edge of the pool, put your hands on the edge, and push yourself straight up.
As soon as your body begins to rise, start to lean forward slightly, so that your body weight will be over your hands and arms. If you swim, try this -- and then try it from even an inch or two away from the edge. It doesn't work anywhere but at the EDGE, and you have to stand as close as you can. It also doesn't work unless you lift yourself straight up, and shift your weight forward onto your hands just as soon as you possibly can.
So what does this have to do with mounting a horse from the ground?
Everything. ;-)
The basic idea is exactly the same: you want to get up so that your body is balanced over your HANDS, over the saddle.
1) Stand at your horse's shoulder, as close to him as possible, facing to the rear. Hold the reins in your left hand (right rein slightly shorter than the left one), and the left stirrup in your right hand.
2) Twist the stirrup until you can put the ball of your left foot into it, then take your right hand away. Your left hand should be on the horse's neck (hold the reins and a handful of mane).
3) Put your right hand on the waist of the saddle (just behind the pommel).
Don't put your right hand on the cantle, for two reasons: it twists the saddle tree, and it will also put your own right hand and arm just exactly in the way of where your body needs to be!
4) Bounce a couple of times on the ball of your right foot, then bend your right knee and JUMP up. Put your weight on your hands (left hand is still on the horse's neck, right hand is still on the waist of the saddle).
5) As your body comes UP, slide your right hand down until you are gripping the skirt of the saddle on the right (the skirt is the little flap that covers the stirrup bar). When you've got it in your hand, push DOWN with your right arm, as though you were pushing the right side of the saddle away from you. This will help you get up and over whilst keeping the saddle in place.
6) Swing your right leg HIGH so that you don't kick the horse in the rump, then when it's on the right side of the saddle, feel for the right stirrup with your foot, find it, and balance your position before you sit (softly) in the saddle.
If you're going to mount from the ground, do it well. If you do, your horse won't be made uncomfortable, and he won't learn to back away or swing his hindquarters away from you in an effort to avoid what he knows is going to be unpleasant.
.... and when you're able to mount from the ground, go and get a mounting block and use it for every occasion except emergencies. ;-)
Jessica
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