Do you want to learn some effective horse mounting tips?
Have you seen how Zorro mounts his horse, Tornado, from a burning building? How about the Lone Ranger jumping onto Silver's back? Amazing, is not it? While this is showy and fun, we are going to focus on safety and effectiveness while mounting a horse.
If you want to mount your horse the safe and proper way, this article will certainly help you. Mounting a horse is a very important aspect of horse riding. It should be mastered first – especially if you have ambitions to eventually mount trick riding style like the previously mentioned horsemen.
Before doing those fancy mounting moves, you must learn how to do it the appropriate way. It may seem easy, but when you try it for the first time, especially if you have a poorly behaved animal, may certainly find it difficult. There is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Establishing a connection and a trusting bond with the horse is vital for the process to be carried out effectively.
How to Mount your Horse:
– Check the horse's girth before you mount. Make sure that it is snug. Your two fingers should fit between the girth and the animal's side. You do not want to cause the animal discomfort by "cutting him in two" with the girth either. Focus on using your balance to achieve success for both the horse and the rider. A saddle that is too loose may have a tendency to get pulled on one side by your weight when you mount, so again, pay attention to your weight and balance. Having it too tight may cause some skin getting caught; it could become uncomfortable and dangerous for everyone involved.
– Position yourself on the left side of the horse, as this is the commonly trained side. If it is preferred, you can use a mounting block until you get used to the difference in balance, so the horse's back will not be too strained.
– With your left hand, take a hold of the reins and a bit of mane. Gather them up so that the horse will not move away. Make sure he has a loose mouth so that you are not jerking on the animals head.
– The horse is more likely to move into you to give you more mounting control. Get some support from your horse's neck by either resting on it or grabbing some mane to give you a bit of lift and support.
– Take your right hand and grab the back of the saddle, NEVER the horn. This pulls on the horse and is an extremely bad habit. If you need more leverage than with your right hand on the cantle (the back of the saddle), you can try placing it a bit farther back on the saddle. Just keep in mind that you are a bit more vulnerable because you will have to let go with it to move it out of the way for your leg to swing over.
– You left foot may now be placed onto the stirrup. You may bounce on the ball of your right foot at least once or twice to create enough momentum to spring you up on the saddle. Stay close to the animal on the way up to keep your structure and balance.
– Use the momentum to your advantage and swing your right leg over the saddle. Make sure that your leg clears the back of your horse. Doing it successfully will position yourself sitting on the saddle with relative comfort. Avoid thumping down hard as it may startle or injure the horse. Try to use as much grace as you possess.
– Be sure to place your right foot into the stirrup immediately, preferably without poking the horse too much with your toe in the process.