I've heard opinions that if a person uses a mounting block, somehow they are not good riders, that if you can't mount from the ground you shouldn't be riding at all. That is bull. I'm happy to see that you pointed out the fact that is better for the horse and the rider too to utilize a mounting block if handy.

Cali is so pleasant and pretty. My instructor is an old guy who yells and smokes. I need a Cali 🤣

This is fantastic! I’ve never seen one demonstrate the proper way to get on and I must say that I’ve always done it wrong for 30+ years. What you’ve shown us here makes absolutely perfect sense and I will start doing this immediately. I love all of your videos I watch them all the time. Thank you so much from Kentucky

Thanks for this video, I found it really interesting. Catfish is a lovely horse, has a kind & gentle eye.

So far the best video about mounting the horse... beautifully explained.

“Oh you’re not a good rider if you use a mountain block” erm no I’m a short arse that doesn’t want to damage my horses back by putting loads of weight on one side while I’m trying to jump up. 🙄

Great video. Would just add, avoid poking horse in the ribs with your foot as you put it in stirrup! We never used mounting blocks back in the bad old days. But they are so much better for the horse’s back. I’m a convert! And also now too old to do it from ground!

I wish we had trainings like this.. started right away without learning a thing about horses

As usual, Callie explains and demonstrates very clearly. And always considers the welfare of the horse. So many people do not consider the enormous strain that can occur on a horses back when mounting, so it is vital we do not swing or twist or pull.

Catfish enjoys his time on camera, what personality!

I've been waiting on a mounting video from you! I get very anxious when mounting so taking these tips into consideration will be a great help :)

extremely helpful - keeping your center of balance over the center of the horse - makes so much sense!

Great education thank you, now I know how to mount correctly.

This was SO helpful, I had to take a very long break from riding with my horse and now that I’m back into it, I’ve been struggling getting on softly despite being able to some months ago. I thought I was just awful but I wasn’t centering my balance! Thank you for making this, sometimes we all need to refresh the basics to be better riders for our horses

Great video - thank you!

Thank you. I really enjoy your tutorials.

Really helpful ! Thanks♡

Very useful advise that's wonderfully demonstrated and articulated.

Very well presented. Great job!

Very helpful! Thanks

Thank you Callie.

Glad to watch this useful video after finished riding course this evening in Hong kong,I will try on next lesson.Thx v much Callie!

Really useful video. Thanks. And thanks for demonstrating using an English saddle.

I was taught wrong 40 years ago when I took horsemanship. The hand on the far side will help keep the center of gravity where it belongs. Thank you so much.

Very good information, to think I've been doing it wrong all these years. Thanks

Good lesson

Excellent lesson. Catfish was very good too.

I hope I ever manage to stumble upon a mounting block. Throughout the countless times I have ridden, I have never seen one. It seems the stables in my area just don't like them. Either you get on from the ground, or with another person's help putting your left leg into the stirrup. And yes, the saddle getting crooked happens all the time, because you can't really get on any other way than by gripping the front and back of the saddle, unless your horse is small.

You were getting on and Catfish was falling asleep, so cute 💖

thank you for this. i am absolutely paranoid of mounting (i tore my knee up trying to mount when the saddle had a breastplate and too loose a girth). most of my instructors counter-balanced the other side of the saddle for me, but that one time, one didn't. my instructor now doesn't counter balance, but we've had a conversation about it, and i've been trying to adjust my technique as best i can. this is the first video i've seen that demonstrates using an english saddle :)

Humans: [Get a horse] Humans with new horse: How do we call new horse? Humans being geniuses: Catfish.

I love this horse. He is one cool dude.

Very useful, thank you. Been riding on and off sine 2009 and nobody told me to put my hand on the OTHER side of the saddle. It was always "hold the top".

Thank you

Yay! I have been doing this correctly. Wasn't Catfish cute? I always hold a bit of mane, jut in case they spook mid mount - which has never happened. It is also important to make sure that mounting block is stable first. Sometimes when re-mounting on the trail, I have had to mount on old logs, park benches or even from pipe fencing.

Great video ,I would like to learn how to use aids in turning and stopping 😊

Disappointed she didn't demonstrate mounting from the ground as well. Sometimes that is necessary.

Using a mounting block also saves your hip joints. I also think that putting the horse in a shoulder fore position to the inside adds safe mounting

Excellent step by step approach to mounting. I can see why my horse wants to walk off when I grab on to the saddle while mounting.

Great training also for kids that might mount,

Excellent video! I need to remember to stop and balance myself in the stirrup BEFORE swinging my leg over! I have a tendency to tip forward and nudge my horse in the belly and he jumps forward. We are still having issues standing quietly by the block without swinging his butt away.

Thank you so much for this video!! I've been riding off and on (mostly off) for many many years and somehow developed the bad habit of putting my right hand on the back of the saddle when mounting. Just as mounting without a block is hard on their back, I don't know why I didn't see it but pulling on the saddle like I'd been doing is also uncomfortable for a horse. I needed this correction that I had forgot I needed.

Another good idea is to make sure your mounting block is stable. Unless its literally cemented to the ground, you probably want to make sure its balanced, especially if youre mounting from an uneven surface like a slope or arena where the footing isnt quite even. Cannot tell you how many times Ive forgotten to do that and gone flying off the block when it tips over.

Good morning. I have a few ideas. I personally hate those plastic mounting blocks. If I needed to use one I would grind it into the sand good and deep so it is steady. I climb onto the block and lead my horse up to it. I have the horse on the step side not the flat side. The reason is because if the block tipped it would move you away from the horse and not under it which I have seen happen. I make sure my horse is ready for me to get on. If your horse is trying to walk off without you it's not ready. I pay attention to where my horse's feet are. I like to have the front left foot placed slightly ahead and out from the right so the horse is prepared to hold my weight. The back feet can be squared. I personally use a solid fence to mount bigger horses. Not only does it help you lead and direct your horse to the fence but it can help them learn to wait for you. Again if the horse wheels it hindquarters away it's not read but it is an opportunity to get to its feet. I can still have the fence for support especially if I have a horse that might get tight when I get on. When I say fence, I thinking 5 foot high solid fence that won't move. For those of you who think people can't ride because they need a block, your opinion is pretty meaningless. My horse's opinion is priceless.

Great info. I like the idea of putting your left hand on the mane and right hand on the off side..that is something I've never heard and I'm 57! Okay, so I have a 17.1 hh OTTB and I've taught him to stand next to the bleachers next to our arena (yes, bleachers! lol). I can walk up to the appropriate height and mount easily without putting pressure on his back by me struggling to pull myself up. What do you think? Maybe I'm nuts, but it seems to work.

Very good advice. I can tell you have ridden for a while.

I was taught to hold onto the cantle with my opposite hand. This way is much better, I'll be switching ASAP!

what an amazing horse! I would really appreciate a video about mounting from the ground. I struggle so bad with it. Usually I use a block since I am fully aware it is much better for the horese, but therefore I never really trained to get on without one and on the few occations I had to, I barely managed and it was for sure unpleasant for the horse. I would love to know how to improve this

I’ve been riding for six years but I still wanted to watch this video

I was always taught to hold the pommel when mounting. I eventually started to do it right on my own because the saddle always slipped from my weight.

Thank you, I’m a bit overweight so I’m always scared when siting up, it doesn’t help that I was taught to hold the saddle when sitting up, I will try this next time

Nice

Thanks for this. I've been riding for about 25 years and recently my saddles have been slipping to the side on me and it's made me SO nervous to just mount 🙊 No idea why it hasn't happened before now but good to know I've been mounting incorrectly by holding the pommel instead of the flap!

basic stuff that surpisingly a lot of instructors leave without such an in depth explanation and expect you to know right off the bat. also sadly the places i've ridden so far label anyone who can't mount from ground a baby/coward/beginner :/ thank you for the video and explanation why is it better to do it that way!

I just need a horse now 😍

Huh, I’ll have to try that at this week’s lesson. I think I distribute my weight similarly? But, I usually have a hand toward the back of the saddle,

This was an awesome teaching video! I cringe when I see riders mount from the ground. I love Catfish!

Thank you! I'm just a bit short compared to my large horse, I'm an 11 year old kid so its a bit tricky, and my horse is big compared to the horse in this,but thanks this is helpful!

I was always taught to put your foot on the girth while mounting.(in the stirrup)

Hi Callie, thank you for your wonderful work. Could you show how to safely mount a horse when there is no mounting block available? Or maybe there is a video already and I can't find it. Thank you With love from Germany J.

Extraordinariamente buenas clases ,me gustaría algo en español.

How do you keep do you of this stuff you’re so awesome how are you show me a quick trick how to put a saddle on🐎

Thank you. Tips with no bloc/ step ?

DO you have a version where you cover a ground mount?

Are you putting any weight at all on the hand holding the reigns? Going for my first lesson this wknd

I’ve always had really tall horses, and I can tell you that using a block can prevent strain on your back as well.

Please post something about the weight of riders. Some people are just too heavy for any riding horse.

How many times in the past have I asked for "a leg up"! Nice not to have to anymore. Is it okay to dismount onto the block, as well? Thanks, Callie.

May I ask what kind of a bit you’re using on Catfish?

Not sure if it's a UK requirement or just Scotland, but I've been told that if you want to run pony trekking, you *have* to be able to consistently ground mount in case anything happens out on the trail (or there's a gate that needs to be opened and closed that doesn't have a rider-friendly latch). The idea being that the instructor/lead can boost everyone else up to their saddles, but not themselves.

I get a leg up on my riding lessons they have a mounting block but it's in the indoor arena and I normally ride in the outdoor they don't have one that can move

I normally receive a leg up from my instructor. If I'm exercising an older horse who is slightly arthritic in the hind quarters, I will be considerate and use a mounting block.

Catfish has gentle and kind eyes.....

Dear good day can you tell me how to choose the proper saddle? I’m trying to buy one and it seems so difficult to decide, by the way I am not professional ride still I’m training.

I always request a stepping stool at my new barn bc they dont have a block, and all riders mount from the ground. I am also quite chubby and am aware of the damage it could bring on the back. Its good to learn when youre riding out and you somehow fell or got off, but Id probably search for the nearest bench lol

Another reason to not hold onto the cantle then mounting ----- that hand HAS to BE RELEASED in order for your leg to go over. Thus you are likely to be super unbalanced unless your horse is a saint !!

Please add position of foot in the stirrup before adding weight. Toe pushing into the horses side causing horse to move. Really like your videos.

May I put this on my Facebook?

Hi, I’m a new horse owner and I’ve never ridden a horse for years. Now that I’ve got my own horse, I’ve also got a bad right knee. Can I mount from the right side os the horse therefore using my good knee to lift myself?

Is there another way through email or something to sign up for your balance class? I get a warning when I click the link in the description.

Can you advise how to get on while holding a dressage whip without annoying or accidentally hitting the horse? Can't seem to get the hang of this. Would appreciate it!

#CATFISH!!! LOVE IT!!!

Do you always need a block?

What breed Catfish is?

Im not sure if there is something wrong with my horse? I tried getting on, but without a block bc i ride western, and my horse is not too tall, his back is about the height of my shoulders, but when i put my foot in the stirup and put weight on it, my horse started falling to the left, he was taking a lot of steps to the left very quickly, i had to get off

she forgot to mention that you don’t just plop into the saddle, you need to get in carefully.

One extra Tip that happend to me : somebody else put the mounting block next to the horse for me ( but it was not level) while mounting the horse the block fell to one side and me I Fell on my back. 😟 totally unneceessary...but painfull.

my barn: mounting block whats that nuh uh get on from the ground

I wonder why my trainer has never corrected me when I mount by holding on to front and the back of the saddle. Next time I ride I will try it this. Which will probably feel weird, or be wicked easy cuz I won’t have to try to quickly move my hand out of the way as I swing my leg over

People who says you must mount from the ground always can get one of these 🖕🏻because they’re probably 5’7 or taller.

I am 75 now and not that flexible. Are there special ways for seniors to mount their horses please?

When you said "if you wanna learn more", Catfish said, And you should!"

I’m getting horse next week I’m 11 now I know how to get on

Mounting from ground? My coach has asked to hold saddle start and end with both hands

Thanks!👍 being in the moment/ aware & focused. other people 🤐. This includes instructors. PLEASE PLEASE separate one about dismount, especially right leg over the hindquarters. Goosey horse tucked moved forward - me leg in cast. WE did not pre-check this BEFORE. 🤦‍♀️🧏‍♀️ THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING

I can't even get on a horse whitout help, I'm am too short 🙁

Good Advice but my horse is a 18 hand tall !!!

Overpower horsh

I can't found your instagram

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