Stonar School Equestrian Centre

I have kept horses for years. The mounting block at the yard is huge, which is great. However, continually using the mounting block has reduced my ability to mount from the ground, which is alright when I have the use of the mounting block. What happens if I have to get off when I am out though?


Mounting.
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When getting on a horse, it is better for the horses back and the saddle if you can ...
...am at a show though, I do not have access to the mounting block. I am alright when on my 15.2hh mare, I can get on no problem. My 16.2hh is a bit more difficult, I am 5 foot 4. I can manage but I have to put the stuirrup down 6 and then up again when I am on, or I find a stone to stand on or a higher bit of bank. Show grounds are generally flat, so I take steps there to get on.When I get off to walk the course though, I am not going to walk all the ... more

I have kept horses for years. The mounting block at the yard is huge, which is great. However, continually using the mounting block has reduced my ability to mount from the ground, which is alright when I have the use of the mounting block. What happens if I have to get off when I am out though?

Mounting.
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When getting on a horse, it is better for the horses back and the saddle if you can use a mounting block to get on. When I am at a show though, I do not have access to the mounting block. I am alright when on my 15.2hh mare, I can get on no problem. My 16.2hh is a bit more difficult, I am 5 foot 4. I can manage but I have to put the stuirrup down 6 and then up again when I am on, or I find a stone to stand on or a higher bit of bank. Show grounds are generally flat, so I take steps there to get on.When I get off to walk the course though, I am not going to walk all the way back to the trailer to get on again. I wanted something a bit easier. Also, I lost count of the amount of times that the ex race horse that I used to ride, would canter up the drive before I had my leg over. Not much fun, especially as he used to put in a buck sometimes. You need to be able to get on quickly if necessary (which isn`t easy when you have short legs), though I do teach my horses to stand still. When a horse is excited though, it is sometimes difficult to get them to stand still. To those not familiar with horses, a 16.2hh horse is 66 inches at the wither, the area at the base of the neck. That is 168cm, which is a few inches taller than me. OK, I know you don`t need to get your leg up that far, the stirrup is a lot lower, but the taller the horse, the higher the stirrup. You put your left foot into the left stirrup and swing your leg over. I know there will be plenty horsey people out there who have no problems getting on their 16.2hh, but I am afraid I can`t reach unless the stirrup is down.

What is a Stirrup Mount?
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My friend suggested I get one (she is another one who needs steps to get on). I had heard of them, but it took me a while to find the name of it. I bought it from Ebay in the end because the postage worked out a bit cheaper. They are also available at www.countrysupplies.com. and from Robinsons. They are only around £5 which is quite reasonable. Basically, the Stirrup Mount is two bits of metal and plastic, slightly longer than the width of the stirrup, so that it can be threaded through the stirrup and it will stay there. One bit of metal is secure in the stirrup and the other one is hanging down, attached by bits of webbing. The length is adjustable. There is a bit of sandpaper type material on the bottom strip of metal so that your foot will not slip. All in all, it is a very thoughtful, but simple piece of equipment. It lenghtens the stirrup by around 12 inches.

Using it.
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As already explained, you thread it through the stirrup and then instead of putting your foot in the stirrup, you put it in the stirrup mount. It is closer to the ground, making it much easier. You then just swing your leg over as usual.

When you are on the horse, you just lean over and remove the stirrup mount. It literally takes seconds. It is lightweight, so not a problem to carry.

Advantages.
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It is much easier to get on.

The saddle doesn`t slip when getting on. I have found that, sometimes, when getting on from the ground, the saddle slips a bit. I think it is all connected to agility and hopping quickly into the saddle. From the ground I am a bit slow, hence the saddle sometimes slipping.

You don`t need to find a rock, or high piece of ground, which the horse will not always stand next to anyway.

I have no problem getting on at shows.

It saves letting the stirrup down and then putting it up again.

I take it to the vets when my horse has a vaccination and get on easily.

Disadvantages.
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Don`t do what I did. When I first saw the Stirrup Mount, I quickly thought to myself, I need the full length, so I altered it to the full length without trying it first. I then realised that I had been a bit heavy handed. There is another piece of metal that slides up and down to alter the length. I managed to detach this one. I couldn`t figure out how to put it back again, so I had no way of altering it. It is now always at full length. Never mind I thought, I will need full length, so I thought!

The first time I went to use it on my 4 year old grey mare, who had not been used to having a rider on for long and I was still teaching her to stand still, I was able to hop up with ease. Getting my leg over wasn`t as easy! With quick realisation, I did not need the full length at all, it was so long, I could not get my leg over the saddle. I manage to, but it was not how it should have been. I had to put my thigh on to the top of the saddle with the rest of my leg over and then use momentum to place myself into the correct position.

I have got the hang of this, but it would have been much easier if I had kept the length adjustment.

If the ground is muddy, the stirrup mount will be muddy when going into your pocket.

You may not have a pocket, especially not on sunny days.

On the day you need it, you won`t have brought it with you.

After walking the course at a show, you don`t really want it in your pocket when jumping.

Likewise when on an organised group picnic ride, you probalby don`t want to carry it, or have no pockets.

The sandpaper began to peel off almost straight away.

Frequency of Use.
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I was really enthusiastic about this when I first used it. I was going to take it everywhere. Realistically, I don`t take it when I go out on hacks because I use the mounting block and then rarely get off.

I haven`t taken it to a show because it would mean carrying it in my pocket.

I haven`t taken it on a group ride, because, although only around 10 inches long and a few inches wide, I stil would rather not carry it. Most of my clothes don`t have pockets.

If I do get off, I do what I used to and find a higher piece of ground or let my stirrup down.

My Verdict.
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The stirrup mount is really useful and inexpensive. I think it is worth getting, even if it is used infrequently. I don`t use it anyway near as much as I thought I would. It is there though, should ever I need it, which is useful to know. The only place I use it every time, is at the vets.

When using it first, make sure you can still alter the length.

Practice on a horse that stands still when mounting, not a green youngster.

If using a mounting block frequently, make sure you still mount from the ground periodically, so that you don`t lose the ability to do so.

 

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