26/05/2025
๐๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ง๐๐ฆ ๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ
๐๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ ๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ง?
When it comes to mounting horses, most of us understand the importance of using a mounting block to reduce strain on our horseโs back. But have you ever considered whether your mounting block is the right height? It's a detail thatโs often overlooked but could make a big difference to your horse's comfort and overall wellbeing.
Russell MacKechnie-Guire highlights the significance of choosing the right mounting block height. โMounting from the ground is a skill that riders should have but not necessarily reinforce regularly,โ he says. โItโs important to be able to get on from the ground in case of an emergency, but you donโt need to practice it daily. In those situations where you fall off or need to dismount to open a gate, itโs better to walk your horse to a log or another safe object to help you get back on.โ
Using a mounting block should be the norm, and the height of the block matters more than you might think. โThe higher the block, the better,โ explains Russell. โThe ideal height means you can step onto the horse with minimal effort, which reduces the pressure on the saddle and avoids unnecessary strain on the horseโs back.โ When mouting pressures are highest on the right side of the wither, and along the soft tissue close to the right side of the spinal processes.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฏ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ?
Studies show that mounting from the ground places more pressure on the right side of the horseโs back as the rider mounts. The saddle is often pulled against the horseโs wither on the opposite side, increasing strain. When you use a higher mounting block, the time spent with your left foot in the stirrup is reduced significantly, which lowers the pressures on the saddle and allows for a smoother transition onto the horse, โThe longer you take to mount, the more pressure youโre putting on the horse.โ
To ensure your mounting block is doing its job, Russell suggests testing how long your stirrup is under load during mounting. โIf you can reduce the time youโre applying pressure to the saddle by using a higher block, thatโs ideal,โ he explains.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Interestingly, your own fitness level can impact the amount of strain placed on the saddle and the horse during mounting. "Riders who are fit and athletic tend to have the ability to bounce, and propel themselves up onto the horse, whereas less fit riders may rely on pulling the horse towards them to get on," says Russell. This difference can lead to varied saddle pressures, depending on the rider's physical ability.
Even though mounting might only happen once a day, the pressure on the saddle is substantial. โThe pressure is greater than that experienced by a horse landing over a 1.30m jump,โ Russell points out. This repeated pressure could contribute (appreciateing there are multiple factors) to why some horses are unsettled or step forward when being mounted.
๐๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฏ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ
While a lower block might be easier to move and store, itโs essential to consider whether itโs the right size for your horse. โEfficiency is important, but so is ensuring that your mounting block is the correct height to reduce strain,โ Russell advises.
Historically, older estates had large mounting blocks built to help people in dresses mount with ease, especially ladies riding side-saddle, and this larger size wasnโt just for style โ it was designed to make mounting easier and more comfortable for the horse.
๐๐ฒ๐ด-๐๐ฝ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
Another alternative to using a mounting block is receiving a leg-up. However, Russell cautions that the method of leg-ups is important. โIf you propel someone too much, they might come down too quickly and end up landing heavily on the horseโs back,โ he says. โMake sure the person is able to gently lower themselves into the saddle to avoid adding extra pressure.โ
In some cases, mounting from the opposite side can also be beneficial to the horseโs balance and comfort, as it helps avoid repeating the same loading on one side.
By paying attention to these details, riders can reduce the risk of causing unnecessary strain on their horseโs back and make the mounting process safer for both horse and rider.
