The stories about the swords and all is true. Because most people are right handed the sword is on the left side and would not be practical to swing it with the leg over the horse.
However, in modern times (I'm assuming you don't ride with a sword) it is better for your horse and your tack to alternate your mounting side. Constantly mounting your horse from one side can cause back pain to the horse, and it also streaches out one stirup leather longer than the other. Do you ever feel that on of your stirrups is longer than the other even though they are on the same hole? We all chalk it up to having different length legs, but if you take off your stirrups and lay them next to each other I believe you'll find the left one to be longer. So swich mounting sides to save your horses back and your tack. Happy Riding!
additional note to all.... I pitty the horses that Katiemustang claims to be training, I've read alot of her answers and I don't think she's ever riden let alone trainied a horse.
2006-12-27 07:02:41
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answer #1
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answered by auequine 4
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Tradition, largely. Soldiers mounted from the left because they had a sword hanging down on the left side. If they mounted from the right they would smack the horse with the sword.
Ladies mounted from the left because the pommel was set so they could curl their right knee around it. Ladies used to ride side-saddle, and mounted from the left so they could get into the seat properly. If they mounted from the right they'd right backwards.
As most riders today don't use side saddles and don't carry swords, there's no longer a valid reason for it - just tradition (although some horses have been trained to accept mounting from either side, which is great). A horse that is used to being mounted on one side only can get really skittish if you try to mount from the other side.
But the answer to your question is, they don't have to be mounted on the left. It depends on how they have been trained and if you have your own horse, you can train it however you wish. Stunt horses even learn a rear mount, where the rider runs up behind the horse and vaults into the saddle!
2006-12-27 04:56:57
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answer #2
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answered by old lady 7
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Exactly what all the others are saying. From the days of when swords where carried, normally on the solider/warriors left side, this made it easier for mounting the horse without the sword in the way.
I suggest STRONGLY to teach your horse to accept being mounted/dismounted from both sides.
In an emergency situation or a scenario in which you can not mount from the left/near side, you will want a calm horse that will stand to accept you on the off side.
I found myself in this situation once and have made sure all my horses since are acceptable of both sides and sliding off the back end.
2006-12-27 13:12:41
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answer #3
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answered by Lotsa Lops 3
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You can mount a horse on the left or the right side. It makes no difference.
2006-12-27 05:06:57
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answer #4
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answered by demilspencer@yahoo.com 5
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It is a style thing developed from when soldiers/knights wore swords on the left and mounting with swords on the left required using the left side. A horse doesn't care which side you mount on if it is used to it. Most horses are just used to being mounted on the left and may be nervous if you try something new, but due to leg/foot injuries, I mount on t he right side and the horses I've had since my injuries get used to it and just don't care!
2006-12-27 04:51:19
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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It doesn't have to be mounted from the left but I guess it's kind of a tradition......a long time ago when soldiers used horses in war, they had to mount and dismount on the left b/c of the way their sword was positioned, so it wouldn't stab the horse. Now we just carry it on as a tradition.
2006-12-27 07:29:47
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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It date back to the days when they wore swords and if you mounted from the right you could not get your leg over the horse because the sword was in the way.
Now many people train their horses to be mountedfrom either side. We do ours so that if you are out on a trail or need to get on from the right side the horse is ok with it and you can.
2006-12-27 05:29:31
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answer #7
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answered by tlctreecare 7
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Your second answer is what I have always heard. It started as a Calvery mount. Most horses get used to a side and know what to expect. My horse can be saddled or unsaddled from both sides. She can also be mounted from both sides. I have worked with her that way,because she was around alot of children and I didn't want her to get spoked.We do War between the states re-enactments,and mounting from the left is somewhat easier with the equipment you have to use.
2006-12-27 04:56:55
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answer #8
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answered by DEBO 3
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It's a tradition, not a must. I know of several people who have routinely mounted their horses from the right because of a disability. As long as the horse is trained to accept it it makes no difference.
2006-12-27 05:31:17
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answer #9
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answered by Redneck Crow 4
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This derives from the times people who rode horses also carried swords. The sword was on the left hip, because you grab it with your right hand diagonally. So, you have to mount the horse from the left, otherwise the sword is an obstacle as you mount.
2006-12-27 04:51:03
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answer #10
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answered by cpinatsi 7
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