How To Mount A Horse - By: Shane Walker

Whether riding in a school or outdoor area, every rider must ensure that his horse stands quietly until he is on its back and ready to move off.

The reins should be fastened and sitting flat upon the horse's neck. Whilst preparing to mount, the rider should always have one arm through the reins, e.g whilst adjusting the stirrups down, adjusting the stirrup leathers or tightening the girth. It is unsafe to leave a horse standing by itself whilst mounting: even the tamest: best trained horse can take become spooked and run away, causing serious injury to itself as well as to other horses and riders.

Always adjust the stirrups before mounting. The length should be approximately equal to the length of the outstretched arm, with the finger tip on the tongue of the buckle by the stirrup bar. The length is about right if, with the leather taught, the stirrup reaches the armpit.

To mount, stand on the near side of the horse(left), with your back to the horses head, and begin to mount as follows:

• grasp the reins in your left hand on top of the horse's neck, with the left rein between the third finger and the little finger, and the right rein running through the palm of the hand. Both reins should be in like contact with the horse's mouth with a slightly stronger contact on the right rein if the horse fidgets.

• step far enough back and to the right to be able to put your left foot in the stirrup.

• grasp the mane in your left hand, and with your right hand take hold of the stirrup leather and turn it towards you.

• place your left foot in the stirrup so that the stirrup is behind the ball of the foot, then lean your left knee against the saddle so that your toe does not disturb the horse.

• stand on tiptoe on your right foot, catch hold of the cantle of the saddle with your right hand, hold on to the mane or the pommel with your left hand, transfer your weight onto your left foot, press your left knee against the saddle and push off energetically with your right foot, leaning or upper body forwarded you do so.

• placing your right hand on the pommel for support, swing your right leg slowly over the croup and lower your seat carefully into the saddle.

• place your right foot in the stirrup and take up your reins.

A mounting block or store can be used as an aid. This is of particular benefit to our older riders a also helps to prevent damage to the horse's back. Before moving off, the rider should transferred the right rein into his right hand and then make the horse stand still for a while before moving off.

About the Author

Learning to ride a horse correctly from day one will afford both the horse and rider a far more pleasurable experience.For more horse riding tips and all your saddlery requirements visit kwsaddlery.com.au

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