2007-03-03 04:46:33 · 10 answers · asked by Larry m 6 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It's tradition.
2007-03-03 04:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by amazinfan31 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to, but there are two reasons to mount on the left side (also called near side) First, because most people are right footed it is easier to swing their good foot over the horse. Another reason is because in midevil times, knights would always put their swords into a holder on their left hip so that they could reach over with their right hand and pull it out. They couldn't mount on the right side of their horse (also called far side) because the sword would get in the way. It just became a tradition, but it is good practice to mount your horse from both sides. Hope this answers your question.
2007-03-04 12:10:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the American Indian mounted from the right side of the horse... and I do agree with two above about the swords being on the left side of the body and being easier to mount on the left without catching the hilts and guards on the saddle and pommel... being part of a Train Robbing group at French Lick, IN... the Marshal explains to me that the cowboys always did the easiest thing, so when harnessing or unharnessing horses you always do it from the left side of the animal as well, because that is also the side you mount on...
2007-03-03 13:07:23 · answer #3 · answered by buckaroo_57 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to. It's just tradition. It's perfectly possible to mount a horse from the right side. The practice stemmed from right-handed knights who would carry their swords on their left hips to facilitate easy access. When mounting their horses, it just wouldn't make sense to mount from the right, as that would require swinging the sword over the body of the horse. So mounting from the left became the tradition, because it was easiest.
2007-03-03 12:52:50 · answer #4 · answered by daisyprincess78 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a tradition that dates back to the military wearing swords and if you tried to mount from the right side your sword would get all caught up and you could not get your leg over the horse.
You can mount from either side and when we train our youngsters we teach them that we will mount from either side.
Good incase you need to out on the trail and can not get to the left side or get the horse turned around if you need a mounting block.
2007-03-03 13:16:58 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While its proper etiquette,it's not law. It's much easier for most people to mount from the "south side".Horse are trained to expect it also.
2007-03-03 12:51:57 · answer #6 · answered by W. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It helps when training a young horse. Just as you should lead/dismount a horse from the left because then they know where you are and get used to this. but as the horse gets older you should practice from both sides.
2007-03-03 15:53:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Typically it was due to mounted soldiers, as they wore their sword attached to their right side. Therefore eliminating the ability to get themselves caught on the sadle by the hilt of their sword. Now, I think it has just become custom/superstition.
2007-03-03 12:54:51 · answer #8 · answered by Furio_SyNn 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I didnt know you had to. I just thought that most people are right handed and use their left leg to push off.
2007-03-03 12:50:28 · answer #9 · answered by Pete 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because a horses nuts on the lea-ft side is bigger on the right side and it don't hurt his nuts to mount him on the leaft. when you mount a horse to ride and drop suddenly on his back , his nuts shake and that hurts..
2007-03-03 12:56:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋