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Before you even think about
getting on your horse, you need to make sure the saddle is in the
correct position and that it is neither too far forward nor too far
back. Make sure that the saddle pad is not wrinkled up underneath
the saddle and has not become too tight over the withers. Check the
bridle to be sure it is firmly secured, and that everything appears as
it should. Be sure to see that your girth is done up properly, that is
is neither too tight nor too loose, and that it is not pinching your
horse's skin. When you are absolutely sure your tack is positioned and
fastened properly, take both stirrups down. You can approximate the
length your stirrups will need to be by holding the leather out and
touching the stirrup bar. When you do this the stirrup iron should come
to just under your armpit. This is about the length your legs will need
while you are riding. You should also be able to tell by looking at the
stirrups if they will be roughly the right length for you or not.
Now you are ready to mount your
horse. Stand on the left side, or near side, of your horse, and take
your reins, and whip if you have one, in your left hand. The reins need
to be sufficiently short to prevent the horse from reaching for the
ground or walking off, but should not be short enough that the horse
thinks you're asking him to step backwards. Put your left hand near the
horse's withers, and using your right hand to turn the stirrup iron
clockwise, put your left foot into it. Pivot around so that you are
facing the horse, place your right hand either over the waist of the
saddle or on the front of the saddle, and by hopping on your right leg,
spring lightly and carefully into the saddle. Be careful not to kick
your horse in the back or quarters as you swing your leg over, and never
just flop into the saddle. You could injure your horse's back this way.
Instead, hold yourself steady and settle carefully into the saddle so
you don't jar his back. Then put your right foot into the right stirrup.
Check the stirrups for length before you start out, and then you are
ready to ride.
An alternative to mounting from
the ground is mounting from a mounting block, which is a special step
used for mounting your horse after you've positioned him alongside it.
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Horse Care page |
