HOW TO MOUNT A HORSE

HOW TO MOUNT A HOR S3
Once you’ve checked your girth and fashioned your helmet chinstrap, you are ready to mount.
Steps
1. ALWAYS check your horse’s girth just before mounting, no matter who saddled the horse. It should be very snug—two fingers should fit between the girth and the horse’s side. Less is too tight, more is too loose. If it’s too lose your weight could pull the saddle to one side when you mount, and the horse could be startled, but if it’s too tight, some skin could get caught and it could be uncomfortable.
2. Stand on the horse’s left side, preferably on a mounting block as to not put strain on your horse’s back.
3. Take the reins in your left hand and gather them up so the horse doesn’t move away. If you have a tighter rein on the off side, or in this case the right, rein if the horse should move he will be more likely to move into you than away from you, giving you a little more control for mounting. Rest your left hand on the horse’s neck or also grab some mane in your left hand along with the reins.
4. If this is your first time, or if you feel uncertain, placed your right hand towards the rear of the saddle. Keep in mind your safety, by placing your right hand toward the rear of the saddle you will have to move it to allow your right leg to swing over the saddle. It is much safer to always hold the front of the saddle on the right side of it with your right hand. If you need more leverage than with your right hand on the pommel (the front of the saddle), you can try placing it a bit farther back on the saddle. Just keep in mind that you are a bit more vulnerable because you will have to let go with it to move it out of the way for your leg to swing over.
5. Place your left foot into the stirrup. Bounce once or twice on the ball of your foot that is still on the mounting block, this will give you enough momentum to bounce and spring up into the saddle.
6. Swing your right leg up and over the saddle, making sure your right leg clears the horse’s back. Sit down as lightly as you can—don’t just thump down hard. It is much kinder to their back to not thump down like a lump, just as it is much kinder to use a mounting block than mount from the ground, but they should not start or spook if you do. If a horse moves off because it is startled, or seeming spooked, by you thumping down hard when mounting you should consider whether this is a temperament, training issue or a possible pain issue from an ill fitting saddle. The latter of which can cause instant bucking, another reason to not drop down like a lump! Don’t disregard this step.
7. You should now be seated in the saddle.
8. Be sure to place your right foot into the stirrup, preferably without poking the horse too much with your toe in the process.
Adjust your reins, be sure you are ready and then ask the horse to move off.
Tips
After putting the saddle on your horse, walk them around a little before you attempt to mount them, and then retighten the girth/cinch. Some novice horses will bloat (take a deep breath) so that the girth/cinch will be loose. Walking a horse will force them to let the air out.
If you are inexperienced or your horse tends to walk off as soon as you put a foot in the stirrup, have another rider hold the horse’s reins for you. This will help keep the horse still while you mount.
If your horse starts to move, give the command of “Whoa” in a deep, calm voice.
If the horse constantly evades being mounted, break down each step and praise the horse when they stand still. (Start on the ground, then each step of the mounting block, touching the saddle, putting your foot in the stirrup, jumping up and finally getting all the way on). A well trained horse should stand for being mounted and wait for your command to walk off.
If you’re short, consider using a mounting block or other sturdy object—buckets and crates are often not sturdy enough.
Have an experienced rider or instructor watching you if you are an inexperienced rider; never ride alone, have someone watch you and work on ground work in case you fall.
In order to keep the horse from turning around and biting you, if that is a problem for your horse, pull the reins over towards you so that there isn’t enough slack on the other side for the horse to move its head all the way over.
Be careful when mounting a frisky or green-broke horse, or a stallion. If this is the situation, you can always have another person with you to help.
Always remember your equine common sense whenever handling a horse.
Warnings
ALWAYS check your girth!
Remember to wear boots with a heel and an ASTM/SEI certified helmet when riding.
Some horses are very sensitive, after you swing over you may want to stay standing in the stirrups, or in two-point for a second.