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It's not rocket science in order to mount a horse (even if you are tiny and your horse is huge). You get level to the horse's back and get on. However, there are things you can do to make the experience not only less painful for you, but a lot more comfortable for the horse that has to lug you around.

No Cowboy

We've probably all seen movie cowboys, stuntmen or circus performers who do a running jump onto the backs of their magnificent steeds. These horses have been specially trained to put up with such nonsense. If you do a running jump onto the back of the average horse, you will be sent flying to the nearest hospital.

No Big Deal

The worst thing you want to do is get your horse upset even before you have gotten in the saddle. This will train your horse in the wrong way that a human getting on his or her back is scary! You want to be casual, calm and move with as little extraneous movement as you can.

If you can't mount from the ground, don't be silly. Get a mounting block or tree stump or fence or somewhere you can more easily get into the saddle.

Left, Please

Horses have been trained to be mounted from the left since the days most riders had to carry their swords strapped to the right side of their bodies. This tradition still carries on. Although there are many horses that are placid enough not to mind being mounted from either side, you should assume the horse has been trained to be mounted from the left.

Light And Easy.

If you are mounting from the ground or as near enough to the ground, here is what you have to do:

Take up the reins in your left hand.
Place the ball of your left foot in the stirrup
Face the horse's tail
Place your right hand on the back of the saddle
Haul yourself up. Some riders find it best to bounce lightly on their right foot first before they mount
Swing your right leg over as quietly as you can
Settle as lightly as you can into the saddle. Please don't thump down like a sack of potatoes.

Like with anything else, this gets easier with practice. If you have to mount from the ground and can't quite get up to your horse's back, lower the stirrup to give you better leverage. You can then shorten it when in the saddle.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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