Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire
January 2021
Mounting the horse seems like a routine task performed ~daily. However, mounting technique and the height of the mounting block should be considered. Previously we have demonstrated that mounting a horse from the ground can put as much pressure on the horses back as a horse landing over a 1.30m fence. When mounting, the rider’s weight is supported by the stirrup and the rider then lifts their centre of mass up. During this process, the saddle is pulled over to the left, which causes the back of the saddle to cross the midline (spine). As a function of the saddle being pulled towards the rider, along with the rider’s weight, an area of high pressure (> than a horse landing over 1.30m) on the right side of the horses back is created. As a strategy to withstand the forces from the mounting rider, the horse will alter its posture and limb loading. As has been said in previous blogs and publications, horses develop a compensation strategy to alleviate any discomfort caused, in this case from mounting.
Rider height affected saddle pressures when mounting; a smaller rider had higher pressures than a taller rider. It is thought that this is due to the length of the rider’s levers (legs) and the need for the smaller rider to pull the saddle (and horse) towards them as opposed to a taller rider, who could direct their centre of mass up and over, thus reducing the pressures when mounting.
Rider fitness can also have an effect; athletic riders were able to bounce and generate greater force when pushing off from the ground, raising their centre of mass vertically, versus the less athletic riders who had less force on push off, as a result, used a pulling mechanism to mount (i.e. pulling the horse towards them).
Another area to consider is how the rider descends on the saddle - riders who land “heavy”, create areas of high pressures towards the back of the saddle.
It is appreciated that the majority of riders do not mount from the ground. Instead, riders tend to use an easy to move, portable stool or step. Although this is positive, mounting block height should also be considered relative to horse height. It was demonstrated that a small mounting block of 22.5” did not help reduce saddle pressures when mounting. In contrast when using a tall mounting block, defined as a mounting block where the rider can put their foot in the stirrup and then mount as if stepping onto the horse. As the “mounting” (from foot off to seated) process time was shortened this was associated with reduced saddle pressures when mounting.
Therefore, the higher the mounting block, the better, to help reduce pressures beneath the saddle. Having someone hold the opposite stirrup is advantageous and recommended even when using a high mounting block.
"Leg ups" can be useful at reducing pressures beneath the saddle when mounting, although it must be stressed that leg up technique is also a factor for consideration. Riders who get propelled into the air by an over enthusiastic helper are likely to cause high pressures on the horses back as the rider lands in the saddle.
Some take home messages:
- Mounting from the ground creates high pressures on the horses back, particularly on the right side of withers.
- Where possible, use a high mounting block that allows you to place your foot in the stirrup and then mount as if you were stepping on.
- Ask someone to hold the opposite stirrup when mounting, even if using a high mounting block.
- When giving a leg up – be cautious on “leg up” technique, so that the rider does not land heavy on the horses back.
- Consider rider fitness in relation to mounting technique.
- Consider how the rider lands on the saddle once mounted.
Although mounting seems a routine task which occurs ~once a day, we should not underestimate the effect that mounting can have on the horses back, posture and limb loading. Attention also for those horses who are mounted several times a day, such as trekking centres, riding schools etc. Although knowing how to mount a horse is important, it is also important to understand the effects this has on the horse and where possible using a high mounting block would be advantageous.
Hope the above blog is interesting.
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Regards
Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire
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