I have been doing it all wrong. Blaming my weak knees and lack of spring in my hop for not being able to mount. I like that you did not show us that the cinch was not engaged until you had mounted several times. This really proved your point. Thumbs up!
Oh to be young and agile again.. Very smooth move Cowboy! I'm sure my old knees will not bend that way. I will have to continue to use my mounting block, tree trunk, rock, branch... upper soil mound with horse in ditch.. Etc.. I wish I could still mount from the ground.... Great video!
I ride English so I always use a mounting block (or fence or log or higher ground). I love that you talked about the saddle pull. That's an English issue as well.
Ok, Carson James, you've described my poor mounting technique to a tee! I have a 16hh QH and I'm a short-legged 5'3 girl. I'd like to blame our mounting problems on his/my size but I really know differently. To my shame I have to go to great pains to get on him when we are out on the trail, but yet he stands so nicely at my porch and waits for me to mount when I use the step for a mounting block. I can't wait to try this, altho I think I'll have to try the "one-handed" method. I can't reach the other side of the saddle when I'm on the ground. Poor horse, I've had him for 9yrs, he's probably sick to death of me scrambling up his side all this time and who can blame him for walking off! I knew there's something I'm doing wrong, and thanks to you, I think I figured it out! Have a good day!!
Wow, the mounting technique was explained in detail. I am just learning to ride in my middle age and this will certainly help me a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Great demonstration - thank you! I am often getting after my students on how to mount correctly because if they don't it puts terrible pressure on the horse's back. I appreciate these videos that really break down the movements on how to do it properly!
Bless your heart, lol when my body was younger and didn't have the hip challenges I have now I could do that no problem, lol. I did try it but I still mount without needing a cinch.
Needed to be reminded of this! My gelding has been walking off when I'm trying to mount but stands just fine when I'm bareback. It appears I've gotten sloppy with my technique 👌👌
GOOD on you for realizing its something you did and not the horse. I just everywhere you look. If the horse started to bolt I hear people yelling "stupid horse... he's a bad spooky jerk" And I almost never hear "hey that was my fault, not the horses fault" Great attitude. That's a good mindset. When things go wrong with me I say "what did I do wrong" I don't say "this horse did this or that and ran" no because I did something to make that horse do what he did. I noticed the small amount of people who are good with responsibility and not blaming the horse or others are usually some of the BEST horseman you'll see.
Matty Natural Horsemanship With new horses I always assume responsibility, but sometimes we take our well trained, tried and true horses for granted. They deserve careful consideration just like all the rest...totally my fault!
SarahConnorsFit EXACTLY!! I agree!! My two yr old filly gets all this ground work, desensitizing, etc, so much THOUGHT goes into her training...but then I just grab my sweet old boy out of the field, and saddle him up, and off we go riding into the sunset... Or maybe not. Maybe I have to get off to open the gate and then spend 5 min trying to get him to hold still long enuf for me to claw my way into the saddle!! I'm reminded that he needs time, and like you said, consideration!!
Looks simple I’ll work on this technique because I’m having difficulty mounting my tall horse, I also believe I have weak leg muscles. I’m excited to try and see if your technique works. I really hope so you make it look simple and I really like the fact it’s easy on the horse
Carson I got 2 separate issues, First I believe I just have deal with, I would have extreme difficulty using the technique with just the toe of boot only in stirrup, Due to injury many years back, resulting in minor paralyzation in lower extremities, basically calf down , especially feet & ankles, had drop foot syndrome, not as bad as was years ago, but I have to get all my boot in stirrup if I expect to pull myself up into the saddle... Nor am I the most agile, due to extensive past injuries--- This of course would apply to any horse. But my main problem centers around a mare I purchased a few years ago, the main reason I haven't ridden her much is ive tried the main saddle I normally use, with various pad adjustments & no matter how much you tighten the cinch the saddle has excessive movement, I tried a few other saddles that we've collected over years & the yield same unsatisfactory results, I've purchased new non slip girths & special pads that have minimal affect. I finally did more research & inquiries to find she has what's been described as mutton withers ... From the side, it appears she has good confirmation & good withers, but the muscles on either side are bulky, creating a more of a round U shape, not a Vshape , so basically the several quarter horse saddles do not fit... And I can't safely ride her with Ill fitting saddle. If she turns quickly, the saddle & rider are going opposite direction. The previous owner had a endurance saddle that was custom made, But I ride western... And have yet to get one or locate one even close, I did notice a few online suggestions of mule saddle that have similar confirmation.
Wow, thanks for that! I ride English, but I'll try that tomorrow! Grab the back of the Pommel and Cantle, and lean in with just the toe in the stirrup! I dunno about doing it with the girth loose though, English saddles are a lot lighter than Western Saddles, but maybe I'll be able to back off a notch on the girth...
We have been doin horse riding and we out all ride without our equipment there is a teenager,12 year old,7 year old.but the owners of the horse wear helmets
This is very informative! My issue is height/ratio to my horse, I cannot reach over my saddle to the far side of the cantle. I have been mounting all wrong regardless , hard to reach the horn, but I finally get ahold of and pull myself up. Hard on horse and myself. I will see if I can use the mane to get up, but if any other tips for short person, less finding something to stand on, would be wonderful, thank you
Now, that's good technique, I'll remember this. I've got an arthritic left knee, so I have to use a mounting block, but the basic idea would be the same. Thanks!
Use a mounting block, a log or some other stable object to stand on or put the horse in a ditch or a downhill side of a slope to make for a better method to mount.
Hi from New Zealand. Great video thank you. Pardon my rudeness, but what is with the buttoned up shirt in the horse paddock? It seems like really strange attire for the farm, as you would only see that here in formal settings, like weddings, funerals, perhaps the office, though it is not common now. Even in those occasions the top button is usually undone unless wearing a tie. In those occasions the tie comes off and the top button is undone as soon as the formal part of the occasion is over. On a hot day, in the country here, no one would blink if a guy took his shirt off. It is such a contrast, my eye gets drawn to that top button and the difference in dress code. I am just curious about the culture in your part of the world, whether it is common, expected, frowned upon to not be buttoned up tight or just personal preference?
He's a buckaroo the hat etc shows he's a professional. When a man goes to his office he is dressed for it. Carson's office is on the back of a horse. :)
One wouldn't want to ride with stirrups that weren't the same length. That would affect balance and might make a person sore after awhile. I don't think it would be good for the horse either. If your stirrup is too long, it is hard to get your leg over the saddle, so there is a catch 22 there...
It does look a ton longer doesn't it. Hard to tell why cause we do not get a clear shot of the off side. Could just be hung up on something or tied up to be out of the way or maybe he lengthened the near side to make it easier to get up, Hmmmm.
I noticed that too. He has the mounting side stirrup way longer than the right side. You can see it in the front on shot of the horse during the intro.
I broke my clavicle (came off horse in forest) six months ago. now i am realizing i can't mount from the ground, I need mounting block, struggle even remounting on stump. is it me getting old, or is it the broken clavicle which now has metal plate? it's like i have no help or aid from my left shoulder, is it my laziness or is this a valid reaction to the accident? i want to be able to hop on her from the ground again! anybody know solutions or exercises to help?
Great tips Carson. Do you have any for us over 60 crowd that use a mounting block are not flexible any more or on the heavy side? I would be afraid to hop on the mounting block at the stable(not that big standard 2 step) so i am still pulling on the saddle to get up .
Icelandic riders mount in a similar way, with English style saddles, but their saddles are heavier than a regular English saddle, and have a larger panel system, more like a western saddle. I think I have seen them do this demo with a loose girth. At any rate, it really does keep the saddle from slipping, especially for treeless saddles, to use this method.
this is useful even with a mounting block. You still end up with saddle pull as an issue, so learning how to keep your hand low and your knee forward and body as close as you can from the block as you get on is still valuable :)
Not crazy about standing at the horses' shoulder when I mount, I like to go diagonally; but grabbing the mane is a MUST! I hate to see people grab the horn and cantle and PULL the saddle towards them (twisting the horse's back!!!) when they mount. I feel SO BAD for their horses!! I know they must have their girths so tight I wonder how they can even breathe!!!
Also, if you're tall relative to your horse, you could grab the far side of the seat. I saw a video of Lendon Gray doing it this way and mounting EXACTLY the way Carson shows in this video.
I make saddles and twist the leathers, so it's easier on the riders knee, good stout fenders need to be set or twisted, this Aussie stick saddle mounting style defeats twisting the fenders, as your RUclips says it's a great way to set up your saddle, then you say this is a great way to mount up?, just my opinion, with full respect👍
I have been doing it all wrong. Blaming my weak knees and lack of spring in my hop for not being able to mount. I like that you did not show us that the cinch was not engaged until you had mounted several times. This really proved your point. Thumbs up!
Oh to be young and agile again.. Very smooth move Cowboy! I'm sure my old knees will not bend that way. I will have to continue to use my mounting block, tree trunk, rock, branch... upper soil mound with horse in ditch.. Etc.. I wish I could still mount from the ground.... Great video!
wow......thanks for the awesome info.....now I see where my problem is...turning the knee makes such a difference....my horses also say thanks!
I ride English so I always use a mounting block (or fence or log or higher ground). I love that you talked about the saddle pull. That's an English issue as well.
Ok, Carson James, you've described my poor mounting technique to a tee! I have a 16hh QH and I'm a short-legged 5'3 girl. I'd like to blame our mounting problems on his/my size but I really know differently. To my shame I have to go to great pains to get on him when we are out on the trail, but yet he stands so nicely at my porch and waits for me to mount when I use the step for a mounting block. I can't wait to try this, altho I think I'll have to try the "one-handed" method. I can't reach the other side of the saddle when I'm on the ground. Poor horse, I've had him for 9yrs, he's probably sick to death of me scrambling up his side all this time and who can blame him for walking off! I knew there's something I'm doing wrong, and thanks to you, I think I figured it out! Have a good day!!
Bridger Kempf I’m 5’1 and own a 16hh QH I can’t mount on him for shit so I have to use a fence lol
I'm 5 foot 5 inches and I mount my 16 hand height 1h with this technique it really does seem to work better then holding on to the horn
Wow, the mounting technique was explained in detail. I am just learning to ride in my middle age and this will certainly help me a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Have taken riding lessons and watched DVD's, but missed the mechanics and see how important they are. Thanks.
Great demonstration - thank you! I am often getting after my students on how to mount correctly because if they don't it puts terrible pressure on the horse's back. I appreciate these videos that really break down the movements on how to do it properly!
Bless your heart, lol when my body was younger and didn't have the hip challenges I have now I could do that no problem, lol. I did try it but I still mount without needing a cinch.
Needed to be reminded of this! My gelding has been walking off when I'm trying to mount but stands just fine when I'm bareback. It appears I've gotten sloppy with my technique 👌👌
GOOD on you for realizing its something you did and not the horse. I just everywhere you look. If the horse started to bolt I hear people yelling "stupid horse... he's a bad spooky jerk" And I almost never hear "hey that was my fault, not the horses fault" Great attitude. That's a good mindset. When things go wrong with me I say "what did I do wrong" I don't say "this horse did this or that and ran" no because I did something to make that horse do what he did. I noticed the small amount of people who are good with responsibility and not blaming the horse or others are usually some of the BEST horseman you'll see.
Matty Natural Horsemanship With new horses I always assume responsibility, but sometimes we take our well trained, tried and true horses for granted. They deserve careful consideration just like all the rest...totally my fault!
SarahConnorsFit EXACTLY!! I agree!! My two yr old filly gets all this ground work, desensitizing, etc, so much THOUGHT goes into her training...but then I just grab my sweet old boy out of the field, and saddle him up, and off we go riding into the sunset... Or maybe not. Maybe I have to get off to open the gate and then spend 5 min trying to get him to hold still long enuf for me to claw my way into the saddle!! I'm reminded that he needs time, and like you said, consideration!!
Hi from Hungary. Great video thank you.
Best video available to the topic.
I’m 14 n I’m learning how to get on a 17 hand horse properly so ye it’s a long way up this video helped a lot.
Very nice guide line
Duke is cute. this was helpful. I'm going to try - we don't often mount from the ground, but occasionally something unplanned happens.
Thank you so much for posting
Great video!! I need a video for old people. LOL Beautiful horse!
Subscribed it put you at 10K subscriber's congrats!
Thank you! Help that I really needed.
Excellent video. Thank you
Great video man. Solved a big problem I've been having
well what'd'ya know... I didnt see that you had the cinch off. (first year horse owner here) Thank you for that tip!
Your horse is definitely testing you with that grass lol.
A very good demonstration of how to get on .
Looks simple I’ll work on this technique because I’m having difficulty mounting my tall horse, I also believe I have weak leg muscles. I’m excited to try and see if your technique works. I really hope so you make it look simple and I really like the fact it’s easy on the horse
Carson
I got 2 separate issues,
First I believe I just have deal with, I would have extreme difficulty using the technique with just the toe of boot only in stirrup,
Due to injury many years back, resulting in minor paralyzation in lower extremities, basically calf down , especially feet & ankles, had drop foot syndrome, not as bad as was years ago, but I have to get all my boot in stirrup if I expect to pull myself up into the saddle...
Nor am I the most agile, due to extensive past injuries---
This of course would apply to any horse.
But my main problem centers around a mare I purchased a few years ago, the main reason I haven't ridden her much is ive tried the main saddle I normally use, with various pad adjustments & no matter how much you tighten the cinch the saddle has excessive movement, I tried a few other saddles that we've collected over years & the yield same unsatisfactory results, I've purchased new non slip girths & special pads that have minimal affect.
I finally did more research & inquiries to find she has what's been described as mutton withers ...
From the side, it appears she has good confirmation & good withers, but the muscles on either side are bulky, creating a more of a round U shape, not a Vshape , so basically the several quarter horse saddles do not fit...
And I can't safely ride her with Ill fitting saddle.
If she turns quickly, the saddle & rider are going opposite direction.
The previous owner had a endurance saddle that was custom made,
But I ride western...
And have yet to get one or locate one even close,
I did notice a few online suggestions of mule saddle that have similar confirmation.
Look into the Specialized Saddles. Very nice. You custom fit to your horse.
Wow, thanks for that! I ride English, but I'll try that tomorrow! Grab the back of the Pommel and Cantle, and lean in with just the toe in the stirrup! I dunno about doing it with the girth loose though, English saddles are a lot lighter than Western Saddles, but maybe I'll be able to back off a notch on the girth...
We have been doin horse riding and we out all ride without our equipment there is a teenager,12 year old,7 year old.but the owners of the horse wear helmets
This is very informative! My issue is height/ratio to my horse, I cannot reach over my saddle to the far side of the cantle. I have been mounting all wrong regardless , hard to reach the horn, but I finally get ahold of and pull myself up. Hard on horse and myself. I will see if I can use the mane to get up, but if any other tips for short person, less finding something to stand on, would be wonderful, thank you
Now, that's good technique, I'll remember this. I've got an arthritic left knee, so I have to use a mounting block, but the basic idea would be the same. Thanks!
Just bought my first saddle thanks for the vid
i have been waiting for a long time will you please post. I am 8 yrs old an i have a horse i learn very much from you. thank you
Great video! Correct mounting technique for either english or western! Thank you!
Excellent !!!
Watched the video again and yes the off struip is shorter.why?
Great explaining, thanks Carson! Yoiu are smart!
Use a mounting block, a log or some other stable object to stand on or put the horse in a ditch or a downhill side of a slope to make for a better method to mount.
Thank u so much for this
why start at the shoulder and hop to the side? seems counter productive. serious question
Beautiful saddle....
Hi from New Zealand. Great video thank you.
Pardon my rudeness, but what is with the buttoned up shirt in the horse paddock? It seems like really strange attire for the farm, as you would only see that here in formal settings, like weddings, funerals, perhaps the office, though it is not common now. Even in those occasions the top button is usually undone unless wearing a tie. In those occasions the tie comes off and the top button is undone as soon as the formal part of the occasion is over. On a hot day, in the country here, no one would blink if a guy took his shirt off. It is such a contrast, my eye gets drawn to that top button and the difference in dress code. I am just curious about the culture in your part of the world, whether it is common, expected, frowned upon to not be buttoned up tight or just personal preference?
He's a buckaroo the hat etc shows he's a professional. When a man goes to his office he is dressed for it. Carson's office is on the back of a horse. :)
Thank you for the tips. I need a step to get on my horse. Any tips to change that?
Is your mounting side stirrup longer than the off side? Does that affect you when riding if so?
One wouldn't want to ride with stirrups that weren't the same length. That would affect balance and might make a person sore after awhile. I don't think it would be good for the horse either. If your stirrup is too long, it is hard to get your leg over the saddle, so there is a catch 22 there...
It does look a ton longer doesn't it. Hard to tell why cause we do not get a clear shot of the off side. Could just be hung up on something or tied up to be out of the way or maybe he lengthened the near side to make it easier to get up, Hmmmm.
I noticed that too. He has the mounting side stirrup way longer than the right side. You can see it in the front on shot of the horse during the intro.
I broke my clavicle (came off horse in forest) six months ago. now i am realizing i can't mount from the ground, I need mounting block, struggle even remounting on stump. is it me getting old, or is it the broken clavicle which now has metal plate? it's like i have no help or aid from my left shoulder, is it my laziness or is this a valid reaction to the accident? i want to be able to hop on her from the ground again! anybody know solutions or exercises to help?
Good advice
Great tips Carson. Do you have any for us over 60 crowd that use a mounting block are not flexible any more or on the heavy side? I would be afraid to hop on the mounting block at the stable(not that big standard 2 step) so i am still pulling on the saddle to get up .
Mounting block is easier. Try it
Excellent
When he said the cinch was undone… he drove that point home.
Is this possible with an english saddle? Mount without tightend girth?
Icelandic riders mount in a similar way, with English style saddles, but their saddles are heavier than a regular English saddle, and have a larger panel system, more like a western saddle. I think I have seen them do this demo with a loose girth. At any rate, it really does keep the saddle from slipping, especially for treeless saddles, to use this method.
A well fitting saddle is a necessity.
That is fine for young folks without handicaps but seems I have progressed to needing a mounting block of sorts for this old gal...lol
this is useful even with a mounting block. You still end up with saddle pull as an issue, so learning how to keep your hand low and your knee forward and body as close as you can from the block as you get on is still valuable :)
Not crazy about standing at the horses' shoulder when I mount, I like to go diagonally; but grabbing the mane is a MUST! I hate to see people grab the horn and cantle and PULL the saddle towards them (twisting the horse's back!!!) when they mount. I feel SO BAD for their horses!! I know they must have their girths so tight I wonder how they can even breathe!!!
getting on a horse is more difficult than it looks
it looks easy isnt it??
then try it!
I’ve been riding for 5 years now!!!
how would that work for English riders? we don't have a horn....
grab the far side of the pommel - palm on top, fingers curved under towards the gullet - works for me.
Also, if you're tall relative to your horse, you could grab the far side of the seat. I saw a video of Lendon Gray doing it this way and mounting EXACTLY the way Carson shows in this video.
Its all about that hat
I make saddles and twist the leathers, so it's easier on the riders knee, good stout fenders need to be set or twisted, this Aussie stick saddle mounting style defeats twisting the fenders, as your RUclips says it's a great way to set up your saddle, then you say this is a great way to mount up?, just my opinion, with full respect👍
Two words: Mounting block.
The horse was tired of him talking...
Ah, no cinch ok then.
It's great if your tall but what if your real short?
Chooch Cardinale 🤦🏻
Ok that was the worst transition ever😂