why do people get on and off a horse on the left hand side?
2006-10-14 07:02:47 · 19 answers · asked by David S 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
The origin of this practise has been given - dating back to cavalry times. As was mentioned, the sword on the left leg made it necessary to mount on that side - As a result of that, halters, bridles and saddles were all designed to be done up/adjusted/removed conveniently from that side, and it bacame known as the "near side". The right side became known as the "far side" or "off side".
When they were running around with swords (and now, running around with ropes), it was most common for a rider to hold the reins in his/her left hand, as the right hand was often used for "other things". When you mount from the left side, you hold the reins in your left hand, and you mount up "ready to ride" - sword in hand, if necessary.
In practise, it is just that - horses get accustomed to having everything done on the left hand (or "near") side, and are handled much less of the far side, and so they are more nervous with someone over there. A good trainer will teach a horse everything from BOTH sides equally, because what they learn on one side they won't necessarily know on the other side. All of the horses I train have everything done on both sides, and I regularly mount and dismount on both sides.
2006-10-14 09:12:14 · answer #1 · answered by JouLe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I asked my riding instructor that question when I started riding. She said that the left side of a horse is called it's 'near side'. Which is why a horse is led by someone standing on it's left side as well. I think it has something to do with the way a horse's brain works.
I have seen people mount a horse from the right and the horse didn't seem to mind though.
2006-10-15 14:42:15 · answer #2 · answered by Rivendell 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People get on and off a horse on the left side because in the old days the knights had to get on with there armor. How the sword was they could only get on and of the left. The tradition has styed with us all these years. Today some horses wouldn't let you get on the right side because they have been trained for people to get on the left.
2006-10-14 18:26:34 · answer #3 · answered by Phantom's Lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its an old school rule every thing is done on the left hand side ( not sure where it origenated) renforced in lots of pony clubs. It is pretty stupid as some horses will spook if you go to get on their off side, If you can train your horse to be cool with both sides It would be an advantage & there is nothing wrong with it ,
you never know when you might need to dismount or mount from the off side!
Lana
2006-10-14 22:30:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just do everything from the left - putting on the saddle, fastening the girth, mounting and dismounting. It is tradition and a way of keeping things consistent. You and the horse get less confused that way.
I'm a doctor and medicine is exactly the same - you always examine a patient from the left side. Well, actually the patient's right side, but your left side if you are looking at them from the end of the bed. Don't ask me why, is also tradition...
2006-10-14 17:16:52 · answer #5 · answered by drblonde 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We train ours to be mounted from wither side and that is good in case you need to mount from the right the horse will be ok with it.
The reason people do mount from theleft dates back to the calvery days or fatther back when people carried swords. Most were right handed so they carried the sword on thier left leg.You can not get up on a horse with a sword hanging on your right leg it gets caught so they mounted from the left throwing right leg over the house with out thesword and not getting hung up.
2006-10-14 14:44:30 · answer #6 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The poster who said it was military in origin is correct. It goes back as far as to the knights era with their swords (ie; medival times)
They had to mount from the near side (left) to be able to safely swing over the horse with a sword attached to their left leg (assuming they were manly fighting right handed!)
Now it is just recognized custom and proper equitation.
2006-10-14 14:36:51 · answer #7 · answered by Gater 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question - most work is done from the horses left hand side - you lead them on the left, tack them up from the left so naturally mount from the left! It was just the way we were taught - duno who thought of it - but I guess habits stick!! xx
2006-10-16 05:25:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not totally sure but you do alot from the left side:
doing up rugs, bridle, head collar
maybe it is so the get used too it and its always easier to remember because you don't have to look which side anything does up on.
But i have been told to get on from the right side now and again because if you fall off and hurt you're left foot while on a hack and need to ride back you are used to it!
2006-10-14 14:50:15 · answer #9 · answered by xhnhx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes originally from the military riders. It keeps the sword arm free for battle (Like UK driving on the left) - keeping the right hand (side) free to bring up the sword. (something like that).
Dont drive and play with swords though!
Horses also get used to it - they like routine.
2006-10-14 14:12:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋