Tips for
Mounting
Properly
Palm Partnership Training™
Building a Partnership with Your Horse
We’ve reviewed what the term “aids communication”
means and why it is so important to
success in communicating with our horses.
In the next few articles I am going to share
training techniques built on the use of the
rider’s natural aids, meaning her seat, legs,
and hands—not artificial training aids or
gimmicks! You will learn how to teach your
horse to respond more willingly, without using
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force. This is the path to building a long
lasting, true partnership with your horse.
Our goal is to have a horse respond to the lightest of aids
effortlessly, softly, willingly, and immediately. When we
reach this step, riding and training become rewarding and
so much fun!
Let’s set a foundation for riding success by incorporating
two important steps into each riding session. This article
contains tips to improve the first step…mounting properly.
For me the most important thing with any horse is that he
stands still for mounting. This shows me that he is obedient,
mannerly, and thinking slow.
The rider has a responsibility in the mounting process, too.
She must learn to mount properly, in a balanced manner,
without pulling the saddle towards her across the horse’s
back. Whether using an English or Western saddle, here are
some tips to help improve your mounting.
Mounting is typically done on the horse’s left side. The horse
should be standing relatively square. As you address the
horse to mount, hold the reins evenly. You must be flexible
enough to pick your left foot up and put it in the stirrup
without pulling the saddle towards you.
When you are ready to mount, look ahead and push off
with the right foot. As you rise up in the stirrup, bring right
hand up so it gently grasps the cantle. Swing your right
leg over the saddle while moving the right hand from the
cantle to the pommel. Sit down easily on the horse’s back.
Put your right foot in the stirrup.
What should you do if your horse does not stand still while
mounting? Use a fence! Position the horse so that a fence
is on his right side and he is facing a fence corner or a wall.
The fence and corner/wall will keep him from moving sideways
or forward while you mount.
Mounting properly requires good timing and practice.
Because it is one of the first things we do with our horses
before starting a schooling session, any issues we have
withmounting can set the tone for the rest of our ride. If you
are having difficulties with mounting, read the “Your Next
Step” section of this article for some special tips.
Next time I will cover one of the most important, but often
overlooked preparations a rider should include in her daily
riding routines. It is key to preparing herself and her horse
to communicate together. Do you know what it is?
A horse that does not stand still for mounting is not just
difficult to get on, he can be safety problem! Is he jigging
around when you want to mount? He may be thinking
too fast and walking away in anticipation that you will ask
him to go forward immediately after mounting up. More
likely, he is trying to catch his balance because you are not
mounting him properly. Here are some specific steps you
can do at home to improve this situation.
I suggest that you start working with a mounting block.
These are inexpensive, plastic step-like platforms made to
give a rider an elevated surface to mount from. Because
the mounting block will put you higher off the ground, it will
be easier for to mount and swing your leg over the horse.
Mounting blocks also decrease the stress on the horse’s
back from riders who pull themselves up into the saddle.
They are also very helpful for smaller riders mounting a
large horse.
As you build up your strength using the mounting block,
teach your horse to stand to allow you to mount properly.
To reinforce this lesson, mount your horse in the same location
every time you ride. Choose a spot where you can position
the horse between a fence and the mounting block.
The fence will help him stay straight and focused. Ask him
to stand “square”. This means positioning him so that his
hooves are positioned like the 4-corners of a rectangle and
his weight is equally distributed on all four legs.
Ask him to “whoa” and step up on the mounting block as if
you were going to get on him, but do not mount. Because
you will be standing above his topline, he may need some
time to accept you in this new “elevated” position. He may
The First Step: Mounting
Your Next Step…
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