Equestrian 101: (i) Mounting a Horse
The first thing you will learn when riding is how to mount the horse or pony. Before mounting it is always advisable to check that the girth is sufficiently tight. A loose girth will result in the saddle slipping to one side when mounting.
You could choose to use a mounting block rather than mounting from the floor. The use of a mounting block makes it easier for the rider to mount the horse, puts less strain on the stirrup leathers when mounting, and decreases the chances of the saddle slipping to one side when mounting.
Mounting a horse or pony is done from the 'near' side, i.e. the horse's left side. (The horse's right side is known as the 'off' side). Facing the horse, the reins are held in the left hand, and the left hand placed on the pommel of the saddle. The reins should be held tight enough to prevent the horse or pony from wandering off when you try to mount, but not too tight that the horse or pony starts to walk backwards.
Then turning to face the rear of the horse, take the stirrup in your right hand, turn it clockwise to allow you to gently place your left foot in it so that the ball of your foot rests on the bottom of the stirrup. An important thing to note is that whilst mounting you should be careful not to inadvertently kick the horse with your left foot, as this will encourage the horse to walk forward.
With the reins held in the left hand, your left foot in the stirrup, the right hand should be placed over the back of the saddle (cantle). Then, with a small spring, jump up, straightening the left leg as you swing the right leg over the back of the horse and remembering to move your right hand forward as you do so - and then gently sit into the saddle.
Once astride the horse, turn the right stirrup clockwise to allow you to place your foot in it, sit up, and take hold of the right rein in your right hand. •
You could choose to use a mounting block rather than mounting from the floor. The use of a mounting block makes it easier for the rider to mount the horse, puts less strain on the stirrup leathers when mounting, and decreases the chances of the saddle slipping to one side when mounting.
Mounting a horse or pony is done from the 'near' side, i.e. the horse's left side. (The horse's right side is known as the 'off' side). Facing the horse, the reins are held in the left hand, and the left hand placed on the pommel of the saddle. The reins should be held tight enough to prevent the horse or pony from wandering off when you try to mount, but not too tight that the horse or pony starts to walk backwards.
Then turning to face the rear of the horse, take the stirrup in your right hand, turn it clockwise to allow you to gently place your left foot in it so that the ball of your foot rests on the bottom of the stirrup. An important thing to note is that whilst mounting you should be careful not to inadvertently kick the horse with your left foot, as this will encourage the horse to walk forward.
With the reins held in the left hand, your left foot in the stirrup, the right hand should be placed over the back of the saddle (cantle). Then, with a small spring, jump up, straightening the left leg as you swing the right leg over the back of the horse and remembering to move your right hand forward as you do so - and then gently sit into the saddle.
Once astride the horse, turn the right stirrup clockwise to allow you to place your foot in it, sit up, and take hold of the right rein in your right hand. •
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