The Mounting Block

 

View from the patio

As many of you may know from past posts I had some difficulty at the mounting block with my mare Dusty.  She was impossible to deal with most of the time because of her swinging her butt out, bolting and just refusing to let me get in the saddle without a fight.  I’ve got to say that after years of this behavior and many different training techniques to get her to stand quiet we eventually came to an agreement and she was behaving towards the end. The difficulties we were having did make me lose confidence about getting on a horse. 

I’m happy to report that Blue is a pleasure at the mounting block and stands like a rock until I’m in the saddle. My confidence and trust is returning.  We had a very nice ride on Sunday and the weather couldn’t have been nicer.  A perfect fall day with a great horse equals a huge smile and a satisfied happy feeling that’s hard to describe. I’m sure everyone has had this feeling too.

I thought I would include a picture of the mounting block we had built into a corner in the indoor arena.  After many frustrating attempts to get on Dusty it came to a point where the mounting block I used had to be “just right” like Goldilocks and The Three Bears.  “Oh, this one’s too low or this one’s too high”. I’m sure it sounds like an excuse and it most likely was at some point.   So it was back to the drawing board to find the perfect height.   

And, drum roll please:

"the four step mounting block"

"the three step"

 When we combined them we got the perfect mounting block.

Steps from either side and two platform heights make this good for any size horse!

Quote for Today,

He who needs a mounting block had better not fall off in the middle of the field.

Product Review - Mounting Block

Mounting Block - Product Review

'Blue'

Being one of the many aging equestrians in the sport and, let’s face it, not being as athletic as I used to be, I’ve recently come to the conclusion there had to be a better way of mounting my horses. Fantasizing about just how nice it would be if my horses could be taught to lie down and let me mount from the ground has been my latest daydream. Unfortunately, they have not gotten on board with my brilliant idea and have told me clearly that if I want to mount that way I should “get a camel.”  The search was on for a better alternative to get us all on the same page.

Purchasing this particular 4-step (32”) mounting block has been a good find for all concerned.  Here is the link if you are interested: Freedom Rider.  If I position Dusty or Blue in front of this block, I can mount without having to put my foot in the stirrup, sort of like swinging your leg over a bicycle.  Not only is this good for me but it’s also good for the horses.  Dusty and Blue have broad backs and no withers to speak of so their saddles never quite stay in place, despite being custom fitted. We’re still searching for a better saddle design, but for now, the saddles they use fit relatively well and there is no pinching or blocking of their shoulder movements. However, the saddles do slip a bit from side to side if we mount the normal way because of the no-wither/broad-back scenario. 

Getting back to the mounting block, it is also excellent for our larger 17-18 hand horses, as you don’t need as much stretch of the not-getting-any-younger tendons and muscles to mount. I might also add that the torque is not as harmful to the horses back muscles during mounting, so it’s easier on them too.  Just a thought in case anyone was looking for a less streeetcchhy way of mounting.

Until next time

Quote for Today

He who needs a mounting block had better not fall off in the middle of the field.