My horse is 16 hands high. I need a step stool to use my English saddle. Any ideas for when I'm on the trail?

Question

My horse is 16 hands high. I need a step stool to use my English saddle. Any ideas for when I'm on the trail?

Answer 1

I have the same problem. If I can't find someone to give me a boost I use rocks or stumps as a mounting block. In a real pinch you can lengthen your stirrups on one side to make the reach easier, then shorten it after you've mounted.

Answer 2

yes a have a good idea, bring a piece of bailing twine(take it off the bale without cutting it) . when you want to get back on your horse just  take the twine, place it evenly half way through the iron so you can grab the two loops under the stirrup, and use this as a step with your right foot, then pop your left foot into the stirrup and your up. put the twine back into your pocket for next time.

Answer 3

If you are out on trail and there is no stump, log, fence, etc. to utilize when mounting your horse another alternative is to lengthen your left stirrup a couple of holes before you mount from the ground making it a bit easier to reach. You don't say how tall you are but I would say if you are at least 5'5" you should be able to mount a 16h horse that way from the ground without much problem. I'm 5'9" and was able to mount a 16.1h horse from the ground without lowering my iron if I had to. Since I spent good money doing chiropractic on my horse's back I stuck to the mounting block unless absolutely necessary since mounting from the ground does place extra stress momentarily on their spine.

Answer 4

A rock, stump, fence or tree branch.

Answer 5

Put your left knee in the stirrup, swing your right ;eg over the horse, then put your left foot in the stirrup.  It helped me mount an 18.2 hh horse!