Tips on getting up in the saddle....?

Question

I am only a beginner at horse riding and have trouble getting up in the saddle and also getting my right foot in the stirrup.I use a western saddle so its hard to get my foot in any tips??Thanks

Answer 1

I don't know how to say it but you gotta get that 'spring' in your step... If possible, practice on smaller horses and work your way up. If all else fails, use a milk crate.

Answer 2

Okay. I'm confused.  When I get up on a horse I go from the left side of the horse left foot into the stirrup toe in then push off the ground with my right foot swing over and once you are in the saddle just slide your right foot in the stirrup.  If you have a hard time you can hold on to the stirrup until your foot is right.  

Get someone experienced to see if that saddle is the right size for you as well, that could create a problem.  

Answer 3

you can pull your self up with the horn but make sure that the horse does not walk on win you are getting up

Answer 4

there's a couple of things.  first, if you have fitted jeans, you will want to stretch them out a bit, before mounting.  jeans can sometimes be unforgiving.  i know one lady who's found levi's at tractor supply that has some stretch in the fabric.  maybe that could help you a bit.

also, you'll want to build your leg muscles, and stretch them.

you can walk a couple of hills, forward and backwards.  you could take steps 2 at a time.  

if need be, until you build up your leg muscles, don't feel bad about using a mounting block.  it'll save the horse's back.

as for the saddle.  if it's your personal saddle, i'd say oil the back of the sturrip leathers (both - where you can't see), and stick a broom thru it to help position it.  that will help put the sturrip where you'd want , making it easier to put your toe in.

hope this will help get you started with some ideas.  best of luck, and enjoy your new adventure!!

Answer 5

Lower the stirrup leather. Put your foot right into the stirrup. If the horse is too big to do so then get a box. Get a good momentum while mounting. One, two, three hops in the air then swing on.

Please help me with my question =]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 6

First off when you mount you should mount from the left. It's the "proper" way to mount a horse, although it's good to know you can get on either side if it ever comes up that you need to.

When I ride the one gelding I exercise he is HUGE. The stirrup come sot my chest, so I stand back a step or two so I can get my foot up into the stirrup, then I hop forward and with the momentum of hopping forward I grap the horn and pop up into the saddle.

Good Luck

Answer 7

First of all, good luck with all your horse adventures...I hope you have a blast exploring all the wonderful things they have to offer!!!

Anyways, when you get your left foot in the stirrup, grab a hold of your horse's mane and the reins in your left hand and grab either the horn or the cantle(back) of the saddle with your right, only put your toe in the stirrup.

As for your problem getting your right foot in, I always twist my stirrups 90 degrees so they are at the same position they would be at when you are riding. So, turn your left stirrupleft 90 degrees and your right stirrup to the right 90 degrees and put a broom handle through each stirrup while your saddle is on the rack. It's best to do that after you have oiled or cleaned the fenders of the saddle. If you do that for a few weeks your stirrups should always be in the position you want them in and you will no longer have to reach down and manually put your foot in the stirrup. Have any questions, feel free to email and good luck!

Answer 8

Well I have been taught to get up on the left side of my horses.  try that?  Also hold the reins and the mane in your left hand, and the horn with your right (if getting on the right side, reverse it!) and also if you put all of your weight into the horn, the saddle will slide.  keep your left hand VERY close to the neck when holding the mane and pull up with that.  It doesnt hurt them that close to the neck.  dont hold at or close to the end of their mane.  Practice makes perfect and all I can say is that.  i cannot help you further

Answer 9

You can use a mounting block, basically a step-stool like object, which has 2 levels, one step, one top platform which you can lead the horse up to or put beside the horse, step up on & put your foot in the stirrup from there, it makes you taller so you dont have to reach as far up!! However, you should learn to get on the horse the proper way, without a mounting block, just in case you need to get off on a trail ride or anywhere you dont have a block to step on....if you are young, it shouldnt be a problem...I can understand if you are a beginning adult rider, the aches and pains catch up to you I suppose!! hehe Anyways, good luck & hoping there are many happy trails in the future for you!

Answer 10

When i rode western and we couldn't use a mounting block this is what i would do:

Turn so you are next to the horses shoulder( like you are about to pick its hooves) then turn the stirrups around to face the horses head(twisting it to the outside) then lifting up you foot and putting the ball of you foot into the stirrup. then kind of jump up using the momentum. it helps to have someone pulling on the stirrup on the other side. Email me with any other Questions!

I forgot to say put your left hand in the horses main and on the saddle horn while holding the reins, and your right hand on then end of the saddle( not sure what its called anymore)

Answer 11

-learn to vault

-lengthen the stirrup as long as possible. so it is lower

-get somebody to hold the stirrup on the other side, so the saddle doesn't slip

Answer 12

Using a mounting block is beneficial in several ways. It will make it a lot easier to get up on to your horse, for one. Also, mounting from the ground can twist your saddle tree over the years and using a mounting block avoids that damage. Finally, mounting from the ground can be a bit hard on your horse because of the torque you put on his back while mounting.

I have a $10 step stool from Lowe's as my mounting block.