PLEASE VOTE: should you always avoid mounting from the ground?

[HORSE Mag]

This month's Reader Rant comes from Kerry from Lincolnshire –*check it out
here

Do you agree with her views that riders should avoid mounting from the ground if at all possible?

[RachelB]

Hmm, in 99% of ways I do agree (and I always use the biggest mounting block possible to put even less strain on my horse's back, or even so I can step onto her without using my stirrup) BUT one should always know that one CAN mount from the ground if necessary - and if that means practising once in a while, so be it.

[dieseldog]

Agree with Silmarillion, I voted yes, but if I had to I would.

[Ellies_mum2]

I usually use either a mounting block/breeze block or similar but if I have to get on from the ground I can. I had to the other week when Ellie spooked and tipped me out of the side door whilst we were out on a hack

[Spudlet]

I voted no - I would always choose a block or get a leg-up if possible but if I had to get on from the ground I would.

I have also ridden two horses that would not for any money stand by a block due to previous bad experiences by the block, and since neither were mine I wasn't able to work on getting them over these issues so had no choice but to mount from the ground in as quick and springy a way as possible.

[Bowen4Horses]

i agree, but sadly i don't practice what i preach... x

[miss_bird]

I said no, said i have a horse that when broken in was always monuted from a block, prob is that if the rider fell of he could not and would not stand still for the rider to mount from the ground, so yes i use a mounting block but not always as there are times when you are out and have to dismount or fall off and have to get on and there is not always mounting blocks around, i think all horses should get used to riders mounting from the ground as well

[Flame_]

Anyone who does any hacking, hunting, fun rides or endurance should make every effort to practice being able to mount from the ground or off small blocks regularly because there are always situations where you'll need to do it. If you don't practice fairly regularly, when you do have to mount from low down, you'll haul on the horse's back a hell of a lot more.

I'm not saying always mount from the ground, just don't leave practicing until you are stuck in the middle of a field with a spinning horse.

[BoolavogueDC]

I always use a mounting block to get on, however if I come off or get off whilst out hacking I don't hesitate to get on from the ground. There are far too many hazards to lead my horse while out hacking, wild horses, wind turbines, kite flyers, I prefer to be back on asap.

[joe_carby]

when a horses back is cold use a mounting block or leg up out hunting i am not going to walk until i find something suitable to use as a mounting block not that my horse would stand still long enough at a mouting block afetr ive dragged him across a field and the hounds are off away from him.