| When it comes to most things in life, there is a right | | | | that your girth is tight enough to support your |
| way to do things and of course the wrong way, | | | | weight. Also if you are riding English, you can just let |
| which is usually the easy way. There is much more to | | | | someone give you a leg up. This is where you grab |
| this exercise than the obvious. If you are at a show | | | | the reigns in a way that you have very light contact |
| and the judge asks you to dismount and remount, if | | | | with your horses mouth, face your horse back by |
| your horse takes as much as one step forward, you | | | | the saddle, left hand with reigns and some mane, |
| could lose the class. If you are a cowboy or cowgirl | | | | right hand at the back of the saddle, bend your left |
| out on a range herding cattle, or horses, and you | | | | leg in the shape of an "L", the other person can use |
| have to dismount for a moment, if your horse takes | | | | one or two hands holding your left leg, get |
| off with you as you are mounting, especially if you | | | | synchronized usually with a count of one, two, three, |
| are in mid-air and end up behind the saddle, there | | | | jumping easily up into the saddle but it is VERY |
| could be some serious injuries incurred not to | | | | IMPORTANT NOT TO FLOP DOWN ONTO THE |
| mention bruising your ego, and listening to the | | | | HORSES BACK. |
| razzing of your fellow horsemen. | | | | Your horse should stand quietly as you mount. There |
| As I am trying to convey in all articles that I | | | | are exceptions such as race horses as you want |
| compose, this has every thing to do with respect. | | | | them to walk on as soon as the rider is up and you |
| Being a successful horseman involves the constant | | | | usually will have someone at the horses head so they |
| demand of respect from your horses as well as the | | | | will not walk off too quickly. If your horse is being |
| constant giving of respect to them, from you. | | | | stubborn about standing, you can have someone |
| Boundaries must be set at all times and if those | | | | stand in front of them, they would need to hold the |
| boundaries are disregarded there will be | | | | reigns behind the bit so they can have control in case |
| consequences. There are many ways that you can | | | | the horse wants to go forward or sideways or even |
| help your horse understand that a certain behavior is | | | | backwards. If this still is not working, try mounting |
| not acceptable. Always keep in mind that even | | | | your horse inside of the stall, preferably with |
| though they are very strong animals, we are smarter | | | | someone at their head until they understand that you |
| in many ways and have the ability to outwit them on | | | | want them to stand as you mount. If this is not |
| a moment to moment basis. | | | | possible, take your horse to a corner of a paddock, |
| After your horse has had all the necessary grooming, | | | | place their head right in the corner making it harder |
| feet picking and proper saddle and bridling, bring your | | | | for them to go forward. Sometimes you will |
| horse outside to a neutral, non-intrusive area to be | | | | encounter a horse that is insistent on moving as you |
| mounted. Go to the left side of your horse, reach up | | | | mount. Well my friends, you are probably going to be |
| gathering your reigns and put them into your left | | | | spending a large amount of time mounting and |
| hand, holding the reigns in front of the saddle. It may | | | | dismounting. If you are consistent and practice many |
| be to your advantage if you are fairly new at this, to | | | | times during schooling, eventually, your horse will get |
| also grab a handful of mane while holding the reigns. | | | | the message and comply making life a lot easier for |
| Now, while holding the reigns, turn your left side into | | | | both of you. Remember that when you mount your |
| the horse, facing the back of the horse. With your | | | | horse that you do not want to take too much time |
| right hand, turn the stirrup around toward you placing | | | | mounting and hanging on the side of the horse. This |
| your left foot into the stirrup. Slowly turn your body | | | | is not the best scenario for their back and withers, |
| facing the horse with your left foot turning also while | | | | not to mention that it is probably not very |
| in the stirrup, with your right hand either on the back | | | | comfortable for them. |
| of the saddle seat or the pommel, pull yourself up | | | | Always, always try to make every experience with |
| onto the saddle as quickly and easily as possible | | | | your horse a positive one. Positive interaction makes |
| swinging your right leg onto the other side of the | | | | for a strong bonding and willingness from your horse. |
| saddle. You can try to spring up and pull yourself up | | | | Horses are loving caring individuals that deserve our |
| at the same time or you can take one or two little | | | | respect and understanding. Kindness and patience in |
| bouncy hops to give you a little spring. If you are | | | | teaching them will go a very long way. After your |
| riding English, more than likely it will be easier to grab | | | | horse does a good job, tell them, get excited when |
| the back of the saddle seat as well as holding onto | | | | you let them know, and rewarding them with a |
| the mane with your left hand to help bring your body | | | | carrot or two after cooling them out is not a bad |
| up into the saddle. You of course must make sure | | | | idea either. |