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