Why do horse riders always mount and dismount from the left side of the horse?

Question

I know I am jusy going to hate myself for asking this question

Answer 1

For the horses sake they mount them so they dont scare the horses.

Answer 2

The left side is the near side of the horse.

Answer 3

Due to the fact that swords were worn on the left hand side, therefore they would not get entangled whilst mounting.

Answer 4

I also agree with Partly Cloudy. They used to mount on the left because they couldn't get on any other way, and it stuck. Just like the rings on the english saddle. I guess once people started riding for fun they were taught to get on the left by an old knight, and they taught other people, and it therefore stuck. Then, when modern day people were taught, they were taught on the left, and once they got used to that, never tried to get on the right side because they saw no reason to.

Answer 5

that is the tradition on the left side

Answer 6

old sir vanderkaput, to keep from sticking his

horse with his sword, he mounted on the left, just

as well the same way he mounted his wife...

Answer 7

Partly Cloudy has it right.  Thing is, in today's world, a good horse should be mounted from either side, because if it's used for trail riding, you never know when you could get injured and be unable to remount your horse from the left.  It shouldn't make a difference, but I've seen horses that are always mounted from the left, that get downright indignant when you attempt to mount from the right.

Answer 8

tradition.

most people are right handed.

in the old days, swords were carried, and if you were right handed they  carryed the sword on your left side.

since you couldnt get on the horse with a sword strapped to you, from the right, mounting was done from left side.  it kept the sword out of the way so you could bend your leg and get on the horse.

Answer 9

All members of the horse family are left-footed, except the Yak.