mounting question?

Question

I have always been told (and i always have) that you should alternate the side of your horse on which you mount because it is better for your horse's back. There is a new trainer at my barn that watched me get on from the right side and exploded on me. I couldn't even believe the way she was speaking to a customer let alone another adult, so I didn't even get a chance to open my mouth. I just stood there and watched her walk away. I wanted to rip her a new one but I was in shock lol so here are my questions:

1)Have you ever heard the mounting thing and do you agree or disagree?

2)How should I handle the situation with this new trainer? She is the owner's niece and I can't decide how it should be handled.

thanks

and it was my own damn horse lol

i always use a mounting block. i thank all of you for thinking that I could get my big butt into a saddle without one though haha

Answer 1

Alternating is good for the horses back. You can actually pull the horses withers out of alignment by mounting on the same side all the time.

It is also an important training issue. A horse should be trained well enough to tolerate mounting on either side. After all, out on a trail ride, you may run into a situation where you can only mount from that side.

As for the trainer - she obviously has not been training for long, and while it is nice that her Aunt could give her a job, she is not going to get far in the real world with that type of attitude. If it's your horse, who cares, it's your decision. If it is a lesson horse that belongs to the barn, then do what she tells you to do and chalk it up to her being a jerk.

Answer 2

I've never heard the 'alternate side' thing and have ALWAYS been told to saddle up from the left side the horse. I've been around horse since the time I could walk and my family have been raising cattle and 'working them' on horse back for decades.

So.. for question 1, I believe that you should always mount from the left as that is what the horse expects and has been trained to accomodate. Keep in mind that as you mount, the horse has to 'counter balance' your weight (100lbs +) on one side then compensate as you 'swing over' to center. Horse are smart but are creatures of habit. Always mount from the left.

Now.. as for the trainer. I suggest you speak to niece first, explain that you need to discuss the situation. Tell her that you what were told previously about mounting and that her chastizing you was a bit harsh and unappreciated. (BE NICE) If she does not appologize for the harsh treatment (BE NICE), then approach the owner and explain what happened in a factual manner. Tell the owner that as a customer you do not feel you were treated with the respect you deserve and ask the if they speak with her. (BE NICE) Hopefully, the owner will do the right thing and you will get an appology. If not, go back to the owner and ask them what was done about the situation. If nothing or they state the trainer was making taking the correct action, then and there, cancel any business you have with them and walk away.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

BTW: The BE NICE is a great way to get the appropriate results and leave you looking better!

Answer 3

It is correct that you should alternate the side that you mount on, this will help the horses back and also prevent the saddle tree from twisting. The best way to mount a horse, however, is from a mounting block, again it is a good idea to get your horse used to you mounting from either side from off the block.
The, so called, trainer was showing ignorance both in the way that she talked to you, by her manner and also by giving no explanation for her ideas.
If this happens again she should be thanked for her input and asked that she only give her opinion to you when asked,
Keep up the good work and Merry Christmas.

Answer 4

Its funny how traditions get so etched in peoples' minds as the 'correct' way to do things. Mounting on the left became the rule because soldiers would have their sword hanging at their side and they would not be able to throw that leg over the saddle. It also made for a nice fluid movement when many soldiers were mounting in a line for demonstrations and processions. Its good for a horse to get used to being handled and mounted from either side. As for how to handle the owner's niece, it depends on how well you know the owner and whether you would feel comfortable talking to them about it. Maybe just a gentle way to say that you don't appreciate being treated or spoken to in that manner when you pay good money for lessons. Good luck!

Answer 5

I've never heard of mounting that way because of the horses back, however I mount on the right occasionally so my horses are used to in case I need to on the trail or something. Tell the owner that she exploded on you like that and have her talk to her. She should know that she agrees and whatnot.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Mounting on the left is tradition and date back to miliarty times when soldier carried swords on their left sides and therefore could not easily mount from the right. There is no practical basis now, so there is no reason your horse cannot be mounted from either or both sides.
From a safety viewpoint, many horses are not trained to be mounted from the right, so one needs to be cautious when dealing with an unfamiliar horse from that side. There is absolutely NOTHING harmful about mounting from that side on occasions, as long as your horse is safe and controlled when you do so. Since this was your own horse, and it was trained for both sides, you did nothing wrong and need to feel no guilt.
Have I heard of mounting from both sides? I have heard it, but in honesty I don't practice it. I'm very short and have very short legs and ride fairly tall horses, and I'm much more coordinated when mounting from the left, so that's how I normally mount. All my horses will allow me to get on and off on either side, though, and I do it occasionally. I have heard that mounting can cause pain to your horse's withers, especially if you mount by pulling very hard to the cantel or pommel, you literally twist the saddle on their back. Many people would be better off mounting with a mounting block as this saves your horse alot of the extra pull, especially if you are a heavy, or awkward rider. I suspect that mounting from both sides might slightly improve the problem, but in reality, if you're pulling hard on your horse's withers when mounting they are probably going to develop pain to their withers even if you do alternate. I would suggest learning to mount well and easily (Perhaps you do already, I don't know) and using a mounting block when able)
As for the trainer - well, you just discovered that there are people out there that are unreasonable. This reaction was far overboard if your description is accurate. What can you do about it? I don't know since I don't know this woman and I didn't see the situation. You may be dealing with someone with mental health issues, and in that case about all you can do is avoid the person, and walk away if she causes a scene. Or perhaps she was just having a bad day or problems that you aren't aware of, there are many people out there dealing with huge emotional problems such as dying family members, kids on drugs, etc and these stresses can make them over react to silly things at times. Once again, I doubt you can do much to solve that problem. Also, some people just like to take advantage of others and simply aren't nice people. Those people sometimes react well to a person who stays calm, does not raise their voice in return and sets boundries to how they are treated. And lastly, perhaps you did do something you were unaware of to upset this woman, and perhaps if you think about it you'll see how you contributed. Are you rough with your horse? Are you careless around other riders? Do you take unnecessary chances? I know that it always seems as though problems are all the other people's faults, but sometimes when we step back we can see how we set off things!
I think I would mention the problem to the neice if you have a decent relationship with her. Perhaps you'll get some feedback on this woman's problems and that will help you decide what to do. On the other hand, its possible that the neice will be defensive and you'll get no where.
There are occasions when speaking up politely but clearly will solve these problems. There are situations where you can simply avoid this person. And then there are other times when one person's bad behavior will require you to move away from the problem, if it becomes bad enough you may find yourself moving to another barn. Hopefully this won't be a time like that!
Good luck, enjoy your horse and keep safe.

Answer 7

I dont think its for betterment of the horses back as much as it is for desensitizing to that side.

Do I get on the right, noooooooo lol, should I?? yesssssss

They have been known to ask for mount and remount on the right side at shows to see how trained your animal is.

There are so many uppity snots in the horse world that think they know it all, could be your new trainer fits in that catagory.

I would tell her, you have been doing this, you want to keep doing this and you will keep doing this. Let her deal with her own meltdowns. Just stand there, think of some beach and meet up with her mentally when shes done. Works on my jerry springer patients :)

Answer 8

Most people will always mount from the left.

However, riding cross-country and hunters, we always trained ourselves and our horses to mount from either side. Mostly because if you're out on a trail, you never know which side will be safer to mount from. It's also just good to get your horse used to everything.

Some people are just weird about things like that. I'd explain why you do it from both sides and if she still pitches a fit, well, that's her problem.

Answer 9

From my riding experiences I always mounted on the same side. I have never heard of alternating.
Some horses are not trained to be mounted on both sides.
As far as the trainer, I would approach her and tell her how unprofessional she was.
Talk calmly to her and ask as to why she reacted that way.
Tell her that you heard of some rumor to mount on different sides.

Answer 10

ive never heard on mounting on the opposite side before so im not sure, the only time ive ever mounted on that side was for a trail class at a show where u were suppose to