I find it dificult to mount my horse without a block, cos im not vey springy, does anyone have any tips?

Question

I'm pretty short aswell, which doesn't help

Answer 1

I'm not really into animal p**n. Thanks though.

Answer 2

I'm very short and don't get on without a mounting block...  especially since my horse kinda has a sore back, so it's hard on her when I get on, so there's no reason to make it worse.  I used to get on Western without a block, but now that I ride hunters it's even harder.

I don't really have any tips, I just don't see any reason not to use a block...  unless your horse is scared of it and won't stand still, and if that's the case, just work on it with your horse...  bring him in just to work on that and stand on the block and brush him and touch him and stuff until he gets used to it.

If you really don't want to use a block, you can get someone to give you a leg up.

Actually you don't have to be too springy to get on without a block...  you just have to pull yourself up.  When i was learning, I was a little too springy...  I figured if I jumped enough I'd get there easier...  but once I jumped and flew all the way over...  and that was silly ;o)  Just give a little jump, use your left leg in the stirrup and your arms on the saddle to pull yourself up, and once you're standing on the left side, lift your right leg up and over.

Answer 3

It might matter what type of riding you are learning, but one thing that helped me is: Lower Your Stirrups As Low As They Can Go! You may be short, but most stirrups go down pretty far. Then just re - adjust them and get on with the ride!

If you don't know how to adjust the stirrups, here's another suggestion: Mount By A Fence! Lead your hose to a fence, step onto the 2nd or 3rd rung of the fence and hop on from there!

If neither of these suggestions work for you, I would just go with the block. It may be a little embarassing now, but you'll soon grow taller and you can hand the block to someone who's having the same problem as you!

Answer 4

This is part of matching the horse to rider. Serious riders have no recourse when they are unmounted during an event, inability to remount your horse without an aid costs you a finish in the event! I have several female friends that ride eventing with me and they are only about 5'3" and ride horses that are 16-17 hands and they mount without an aid by developing an athletic ability to leap to the stirrup and push off.

Answer 5

You need your parents to invest in riding leasson for u

Answer 6

Put hot sauce in your panties.

Answer 7

I'm a 5 foot tall female (and not too young anymore).  I found that if you check out almost any ground area, there's bound to be a small hill or dip.  Place your horse in the lowest part of it, get your foot in the stirrup and hoist yourself up.

I used a block all of the time untill a part on my bridle (chicago s***w) fell out while I was out on the trails behind the stable where I keep my mare.  I had to get off and play McGiver with my saddle by using a short leather tie just under the flap yet above the stirrup (there's two).  I strung it through the holes where the s***w had originally been. I figured I'd probably have to walk her back or find a stump untill I realised that she was actually on lower ground than I was, I've done this every where I ride from that point on.

Look around, your probably going to have to get off at some point (like I did)

You'll be surprised what you can think of in desperation ~ I was, but I'm so glad I did.

Have fun and stay safe

Answer 8

I ride hunter but i mount westren because it's easier for me, being short.  If you can't get your foot in good try lowering your stirrup or getting a stirrup extension.  That usually helps a lot,  if you want to eas yourself away from using a mounting block find a little bit of a hill.  Face your horse correctly so that it's down the hill from you and so that your mounting on the correct side and pratice mounting from there.  It may also have something to do with if your horse is a little more on the ummm "round" side.  For a lot of my school ponies it doesn't matter if the girth is tight and if the kid doesn't weigh anything the saddle is always going to slip when their foot presses down on the stirrup.  I don't want them getting dependent on blocks at this age (if the pony or horse is the appropiate size for them) so i go to the other side and press down on the other stirrup until they are in the saddle.  That way it doesn't slip.  Biggest thing i would say lower your stirrup till u get mounted and try the hill thing until you get the feel of it.  A completely off the wall suggestion is that if you have someone in your area that teaches vaulting you could go to them and they can show you how to let the mometum of a moving horse pull you on to their back.  I can mount bareback from  standing, on to a walking and troting horse. After you get the hang of it, i think it's actually easier because the movement of the horse pulls you forward and halfway up onto their back.  Anyway try the other things first.  Hope that helps.