to mount or not to mount

[BlaiseGlaze]

Mounting blocks yea, or neigh?
I was ALWAYS told to use when ever possible, is better for the HORSE, in the first place and better on our own bodies, secondly.
The girl I ride with often will ridicule me and anyone else that uses a mounting block.
I absolutely adore her, but she is quite rude if we don't mount her way; from the ground.

[RipSpark]

I mount from the ground if I have to but I try to use a mounting block whenever possible. It is bad for your saddle and well as your horses back to always mount from the ground. Not only does it stretch out your leathers it can damage the tree. Also if you look at how much it pulls on the horse you have to think that can't feel to good for their backs. If I was a horse I wouldn't want someone pulling on me like that.

[CaddoCinnamon]

Even Blaise will tell you I mount from the ground. I use the horse to my advantage though. Instead of pulling up using the saddle I gather the mane in my hand and one on the cantle. With one swift movement I swing into the saddle. My saddle doesn't move a whole lot.

I also think it is a preference. I have always mounted from the ground. Now where I take lessons at I ave to use a mounting block I don't like it. I prefer mounting from the ground best.

If I had a 16 hand horse I would have to use a mounting block because I couldn't pull myself up from the ground I am too short. Cutter is a bit tall for me and I sometimes struggle because of where my stirrups are.

I guess my answer will be whatever the person perfers.

[WashingtonBay]

I advise you stop worrying about people who would ridicule you over stupid stuff. Life's too short. :)

[miatapony]

um i dont know about it being bad or good either way.. ive never had a mounting block so im no help.. good question tho... As for the rude friend tell her she is being rude... sorry but i dont think i would be able to hold my mouth ... with someone like that.. it is your preference on how you get on .. right...

[outriding01]

I'm only 5'2 and a lot of the horses I ride are tall enough that I have trouble getting on even with a mounting block... I can never get my foot up high enough to reach the stirrup from the ground on any horse except for the tiny ponies I ride, and then I'm afraid I'm going to tip them over because they're so small! If anyone gave me crap about it, I'd tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.

[Buckpoco]

I've always believed that it's more humane for the horse if the rider uses a mounting block. Sometimes there just isn't one around. Out on the trail I just position the horse so it's lower than I am...Also depends on rider's athletic ability and size of horse and size of rider...

[BlaiseGlaze]

Haha, Y'all. This last time I did tell her "I have a mounting block, it's better for my horse, I AM using it. so GET OFF!" but I guess she took it more rude than she thought her constant ridicule was, she has only talked to me 2 or 3 times since... and they were short, curt conversations.
:(

[mare]

I advise you stop worrying about people who would ridicule you over stupid stuff. Life's too short. :)

I second that.

I use one for saddle seat, on some polo ponies, and if a client is going to use one on a horse I'm riding. Good grief. It's not an issue of good or bad, right or wrong.

[jeezitsjacki]

I think if you have one it is better to use it than not, but I will mount from the ground if I dont have a mounting block..but that isnt very often

[FredRock]

I tried getting into an english saddle from the ground once, it was quite comical and failed miserably. Tried again at a show with someone giving me a boost, ended up behind the saddle and Fred freaked.

So only a mounting block for me. The taller the better, my hip doesn't like the strain and my horses stand better.

I'm sure in a pinch I could get up from the ground in a western saddle (I only trail ride in western saddles). But I've never really attempted it, there's usually something that can give me enough of a boost to get on.

[zoel_222]

I like never use a mounting block unless I'm trying to get on Auda bareback. If it truly ruins your horse, I think 90% of the horse population would all be useless cripples by now. Sure it's probably better for the horse to use a mounting block if you have one, but it's not going to make them drop dead the next day.

Don't sweat the small stuff, sweetie.

[Piper522]

I always use one...unless of course I am out in a field or on a trail ride. I think it has to be easier on my horse's back....plus as I get older...it is much easier! :)

[dame_wolf]

I'm short with bad knees so yes, if there is a mounting block around I will use it. On the trail I try not to dismount unless there is a rock or log or something that I can use to get back up. If I have to I can mount Koda from the ground but I've noticed that even when I try not to the tip of my toe digs into him and my knees scream at me after.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I'm really short, only 5 feet tall, so I have a little bit of trouble mounting from the ground even though my horses are just 15 and 15.1 hands. I can do it as long as I'm using a saddle, but bareback forget it.:doh:
I always mount from the ground when I have my horses saddled up, but if I'm riding bareback I use a bucket, a barrel, the fence, the gate, a log, or beg for a leg-up, lol.:p

I don't see why anyone would care if you used a mounting block.:huh: And it's definitely rude to ridicule you for it.

[Remali]

Especially with English saddles, I always used a mounting block (and even with my western saddle), it is much easier on the horse and much better for the horse. I was always told that by my instructors to use one. My horses were only 14.3hh and 14.2hh, and I am 5'6" but I always used a mounting block, it's a good thing to do for your horse. Think about it, try having someone pull hard on one side of your shoulder almost every day, and see how it feels.

[vicklynn]

um i dont know about it being bad or good either way.. ive never had a mounting block so im no help.. good question tho... As for the rude friend tell her she is being rude... sorry but i dont think i would be able to hold my mouth ... with someone like that.. it is your preference on how you get on .. right...
I agree.
Tell that girl to shut up and mount her horse her way, and you will be just fine mounting your way. If she has an issue with that. Um, It tell her to...oh shoot cant say that here, but it wasnt....fall off.

On edit, I do wish I had a mounting block, but when I was younger, nope, got on any way I could.

[WashingtonBay]

ooops wrong thread ;)

[WashingtonBay]

I like never use a mounting block...

Give yourself 15-20 years :p

[offgridgirl]

...Picnic table:), tree stump,car bumper, cement block.....what ever is available.... Less stress on the stirrup leather and my back/hips...

[JackieB]

I mount from the ground, but there's certainly no shame in using a block. It's just common sense to do so. I just happen to still be flexible and strong enough not to need it - yet.

[Suzi]

I use a block. I have mounted from the ground and it can be quite ungraceful. I feel that my legs are stronger now and could probably do it if I had too, but if there is a block, or suitable subsititute, I will use it.

[zoel_222]

Give yourself 15-20 years :p

noooo! I'm never getting old. I plan to stay an angsty 18 year old forever :cool:

[WashingtonBay]

Good plan Zoel... let me know how it works out! :D

[JetLagaside]

I use a mounting block or what ever else is available, with that said I can get on from the ground but right now my saddle isn't the greatest fit (something we are working on) so I don't want to pull it all over the place. That is the only reason I have heard anyone say you should use a mounting block but lets be real if you are out on trails there may not be anything to use.

[pasolover2]

When younger I could mount any horse I owned at the time from the ground, but now that I am older, a great-grandma now, lol, I need all the help I can get whether it is a mounting block, picnic table, stump, etc. When on the trail I won't remount unless I have a stump, downed tree or a spot lower on the trail to position the horse. As I get older the strength isn't there that I used to have in my arms/legs. So tell your friend, depending on her age now, wait til she is sixty years plus then ridicule.;)

[miatapony]

i agree with Zoel im not ever getting old im going to be like my mom not say age here but she dont use one... i will say she rides VERY SMALL horses (lol)

[Aina]

Well, I can get on a 15.2 horse bareback. But if I'm riding Jesse on the Aussie saddle, then I prefer using the fountain ledge to get a little more height, because I don't have an actual mounting block. Sandy is only 14 hh so getting on her is a piece of cake and I want her to get used to balancing herself while someone gets on her. Plus if she freaked out around the fountain I'm afraid I would bust my head open.

[Gem's Mom]

I generally don't use one. I'm tall, 5 11 and 1/2 lol don't forget that 1/2! Gem is tall too 16.2 ish. But us long legged creatures do well together lol. I don't think I've had to get on anything bigger than Gem. I certainly don't mind if people use mounting blocks though. If they're friends I'll giggle and razz them about using one to get on a short horse but they know I'm just teasing. Also my horses don't always stand still for mounting so if I really want help (too many layers to stretch) or helping a short friend on a horse I prefer the leg up option. I just have to be careful not to toss tiny friends over the horse... Someday I'll have a gaited horse that I'll teach to bow so I can get on :-) That's my plan for when I'm old.

[JustDoIt]

I am short. I always like a mounting block.

[WashingtonBay]

Don't remember who said it first, but it's true: "One of life's great injustices is that tall people have their stirrups set closest to the ground."

[zoel_222]

My cousin is like 5'1 or 5'2 and she has a 17.2 hand HanoverianxTB cross. She says she uses a ladder to get on. I've never seen her do it, but I sure would like to.

[Petra]

I have never even given it a thought. Your friend needs to mind her own business. Cannot imagine being fussy over something so silly.
If I were you I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I personally do not own one. I am tall and so far haven't had a problem to get on a horse. If I ride bareback I park my horse next to something I can climb on.

[BlaiseGlaze]

I'm 5'7" and Sam is only 14.2 but I have really bad ankles and left hip that ache all the time... Car accident, a broke left one, over compensated, several sprains, yadda yadda yadda... Yes, I can mount with out a mounting block. I KNOW Sam doesn't like it and I regret it within 15 minutes of riding. I dont have the flex I need. Like I said, I can, but i dont want to. My friend started out as razzing me, no biggy. I didn't mind at all. but it became griping after a few times. I was just bringing it up in its own thread to see if it really IS that big of a deal to other people. I never thought it was. sort of a 'to each their own' kind of thing.
Once when we went on a trail @ long C trails, we dismounted to let some hooting and hollering hoodlums pass us, and to remount i positioned Sam over a fallen tree and mounted :)

What pushed me to post this was that in another thread someone mentioned they use one and never thought nothing of it, and this last wkend we went on a ride, i was sore in the shoulders and back any way, she started giving me crap, i gave her my excuse and she didn't back off. I started wondering if it was that a big deal.

[dame_wolf]

I'm tall, 5 11 and 1/2 lol don't forget that 1/2!

Sure. Just rub it in!

[Tatesgram]

Never used one. I'm 54, 5'4" and my horses are any where from 14hh to 14.3hh. Used to ride taller horses, but the ground seemed to be closer then. :huh:

When I was in my late forties, a therapist told me I was too flexable for a woman my age, that most start getting stiff in the joints. (I blame it on my dancing years.)

Wouldn't make fun of anyone for using a block though, that just seems rude. :(

[gabhainn]

I would tell her to shut the #$%^ up and deal.........Kevin

[vicklynn]

I would tell her to shut the #$%^ up and deal.........Kevin
That was my 2nd thought. I thought Id be nice for the first round.
I like the way you think...:D

[Remali]

You can also tell her quite a few people use a mounting block because it is easier on the horses's shoulders/back too. It's not just about a rider being short or a too-tall horse....;)

[zoel_222]

I would tell her to shut the #$%^ up and deal.........Kevin

:D

[Pi and Tofu]

Had an old vet that was a bit eastern - very into acupuncture. There always seemed to be more sore areas on the mounting side, which she felt was from the pulling. Started to use mounting blocks more after that time, although admit will get on from the ground when it is more convenient. I am 5'0", ride english and ride a little short, and have a 17h tall and wide horse (at least feels like it), those stirrups are way up there.

[AUEquine]

Wow, what a bizzare thing to throw a hissy fit over?
Yes, when it comes down to it, using a block can be better for the horse/saddle/rider. But that in no way means anyone has to use one.
I catch heck from alot of people when they see me dismount. I get off on the right side. I do this for a very specific reason... so that my stirrups stretch evenly. With english saddles it's not a big problem. Just every so often you switch your stirrup leathers to the other sides. But you can't switch the fenders on western saddles. And I started noticing my left stirrup getting noticibly longer than my right, to the point that it was affecting my riding. I've had no problems with this since I've started mounting on the left and dismounting on the right.
I guess my only response to her would be "I'm so glad the problems of world hunger and animal abuse have been solved, so you're free to worry about the plight of the mounting blocks!"

[gaited07]

Most of the time I use something to mount on my gelding but there are times that I have to mount without which isn't too pretty LOL but effective.

As for our QH mare, I just get on without. She's 15 hands and a breeze.

And what is funny is that I used to have horses that was 17+ hands and never used a mounting block!

[zoel_222]

Wow, what a bizzare thing to throw a hissy fit over?
Yes, when it comes down to it, using a block can be better for the horse/saddle/rider. But that in no way means anyone has to use one.
I catch heck from alot of people when they see me dismount. I get off on the right side. I do this for a very specific reason... so that my stirrups stretch evenly. With english saddles it's not a big problem. Just every so often you switch your stirrup leathers to the other sides. But you can't switch the fenders on western saddles. And I started noticing my left stirrup getting noticibly longer than my right, to the point that it was affecting my riding. I've had no problems with this since I've started mounting on the left and dismounting on the right.
I guess my only response to her would be "I'm so glad the problems of world hunger and animal abuse have been solved, so you're free to worry about the plight of the mounting blocks!"

That's a good idea! I'm going to start doing that.

[gabhainn]

. I get off on the right side. "
I get off and on both sides equally, but I may start doing it your way get on one side and off the other, then switch it around.........Kevin

[AUEquine]

I get off and on both sides equally, but I may start doing it your way get on one side and off the other, then switch it around.........Kevin

I have issues getting on from the right. I agree it's always good to be able to mount from both sides, but for me it's just really weird feeling. I feel like an uncoordinated idiot. So getting on from the left, then off on the right works best for me. Getting on from the left is a bit easier since I always check the cinch before mounting, so I'm already on that side.
But it really does help. I no longer have to go drill little half holes to even the stirrups up. It really helped with my JL saddle when it was new. Cause you know how when you're breaking in a new saddle the leather settles and stretches more. It broke in much more evenly it seemed.
And getting on one side and off the other ensures that there is always an even number of mounts/dismounts on each stirrup.

[Gem's Mom]

AU I know the "uncoordinated idiot" feeling lol When my friends gripe about how easy I make mounting look I tell them to watch me get on from the off side... makes me look like I've never been on a horse before! Guess I should practice that more...