Absolutely this is an issue. I’ve been working on hip mobility and stretching.
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My hubby is going to build me something like this. The pic is from the British web site that builds/sales them.
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I struggle with a regular dismount these days; I’ll do my best to describe what I do 
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I keep my left foot in the stirrup while I swing my right leg over. Then I rotate so the outside of my right hip is against the saddle, take my left foot out and slide off on my right side. It’s makes for a much better landing on my joints.
Not that helpful to anyone who struggles getting the leg up and over unfortunately.
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I gave up riding for good due to mounting and dismounting problems. I hadn’t ridden for several years (was driving instead), and one day I was eyeing DH’s mare thinking maybe I could ride her, at least for slow ambles around my property (which was what the vet wanted her doing). She was the epitome of bombproof.
DH would lead her next to the deck behind my house, which wasn’t very high and didn’t have a railing, and I could just slide onto her. But dismounting proved to be a nightmare. I have severe RA and just could not get my right leg back over her, as I would get very stiff in the saddle, even for short periods. DH held the offside stirrup, and I found out the mare would tolerate me dragging my leg across her butt. Then I would do as I’d always done, lean on her to kick my left stirrup loose, and drop down, but it was more of a slide down her side. She got lots of cookies once I was on the ground.
I finally quit trying to ride her after about four rides spaced over many months. I kept thinking that one day she would get tired of my leg dragging over my butt, and then what would happen? So I stuck to driving my ponies.
Rebecca
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I have had the same problem of dragging my right foot over the horse’s croup.
I have not had any problems from the lesson horses I ride. Part of the reason is probably because I ALWAYS have either a riding fly sheet &/or a BOT or Smart Therapy butt blanket (they call it an exercise sheet) on them. My riding teacher is always there right next to us when I dismount too.
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I can’t imagine trying to ride with how much my disability has progressed. I read about your rides and am so totally impressed, as I know how terribly hard it is. That is why you are my hero!
Rebecca
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I have had surgery on both feet…they do not like contacting the ground from 3 feet. No. I can slither down but that is hard on the saddle especially with jackets and zippers. I do not like fishing for the step of a ‘regular’ 3 step mounting block. I taught my horse to ‘come get me’ from an early age so she is pretty solid and patient (she is 22 now).
This is my current dismounting ‘block’. That sucker isn’t going anywhere. The horse likes it too 
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Just take your time to work through and if you need help that is fine. I really like the steps and platform js posted. Perhaps you could find someone to build something like that with the wider platform. Even something with a top platform half that size would be miles better than the standard plastic mounting block.
{{{peedin}}}
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I have a request in to the boarder who fixes things to build me a 4 step mounting platform. (Our current mounting block is a 3 step) But that won’t make me feel any securer. I can pinpoint my issue to not always being able to swing my right leg over. Sometimes my leg rests for a second on her croup. She doesn’t care. But I want to be able to swing my leg without it hitting the cantle or her butt.
I’m reassured to know I’m not the only one with this fear.
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That thing would be a BOOGER to move - I’d suggest instead of crappy rope handles that your hubby uses a saw and cuts out slots on the bottom with appropriate supports underneath that it could be picked up with forks on a tractor. Just a suggestion! It’s a super nice mounting block!
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I went through a period with very tight hips, (an old SI injury and too much desk work conspired to pretty much cripple me for a while,) where it was hit or miss whether I was going to get off or not. I found that standing the horse pointing uphill on a slope made it easier, but there was one memorable occasion where I had to wait until the BO turned up for evening chores before I could get off my rather reactive horse.
My horses have since learned to get used to my laying all over their necks so I can “swim” off if necessary.
Also, I find that if I grab a hunk of mane about halfway down the neck with my left hand, I can use that for support as I swing (or more like fling and slither) off.
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I have a bad hip and am currently mounting on the right. I have to grab the left stirrup leather to give me a “base” so I can get that leg over the cantle. It is my left hip but the torn tendons scream mightily if I mount on the left. It doesn’t like to be weighted and or twisted but so far, I can still lift it. I guess when I can’t, I will be done riding until I can get it fixed. They keep telling me they can’t…at my age…with no further explanation 
. I am waiting for a call to get a second opinion. And maybe a third after that.
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Forget that! You aren’t that old! This is one of the reasons we like living where we do. Lots of more mature, active, competitive folk and medical professionals who understand that they need to keep doing what they do.
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It’s actually quite logical to be afraid of dismounting. Mounting and dismounting are pretty vulnerable moments.
Speaking as someone that has to deal with anxiety all the time, first I’d determine exactly what part you are afraid, and what you are afraid of happening. To get past any fear, you need to know what precisely the fear is, and where the limits of your comfort zone are.
For example, two common fears related to dismounting are the horse doing something as you are dismounting, and not being able to land solidly on your feet when you are dropping down. The steps you might take to work on the fear are different for each of those. And even then, each can be broken down a bit further. If you are afraid of the act of dismounting and hitting the ground itself and not necessarily what the horse does, you could be afraid of losing your balance as you land, you could be afraid of the sensation of falling down, you could be afraid of getting caught on the saddle somewhere.
Basically, being able to really describe precisely what the fear is and when it starts to hit you can be a good first step. From there, you can start to figure out little steps to take. Depending on what you are actually afraid of, it could either be things you do to prepare to handle the situation you are afraid of better (like getter stronger or more flexible, learning different ways to dismount, practicing jumping off of things starting with low heights, etc), or working on slowly pushing past your comfort zone.
The most important thing, though? Give yourself grace. Be patient. Let yourself know it’s FINE to need someone to hold the other stirrup for you, or to give you a lift down, or whatever else you need for the place you are at. And feel free to PM if you want to talk or bounce off ideas or strategies.
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I have some orthopedic issues. At times I have trouble mounting and dismounting.
First I find that most horses dont mind your leg sliding over their butt once they get used to it. You could make sure by desensitizing your horse and sliding stuff over her butt or having another rider do exaggerated versions so horse is used to it and you can visually see that she doesn’t react.
Having the issue on dismounting rather than mounting is a positive as the horse is rewarded by the end of the ride!
I was having trouble in the mounting process and would get hung up on the cantle and/or slide my foot across his rump. While physical therapy was loosening me up, we analyzed my approach. What helped most was thinking of pushing my knee through the seat and keeping that leg bent.
I had less difficulty dismounting since the riding usually loosened me up.( Occasionally I would get spasms and seize up. I would end up sitting on my horse, wondering how I would ever get down Fortunately the spasms would usually subside enough for me to get down) I worked on training my horse to position himself at the mounting block and allow me to move him a bit for the perfect position. Then I would hold the grab strap with my right hand and lean way forward. My left toe was in the stirrup as I started to dismount. Again, bending the leg helped. I did have a wooden block that was sturdy and high enough that it wasnt far beneath my stirrups. I could put my right foot solidly on the block before removing the left. It also helped that the horse would be positioned facing a wall, so less incentive to walk off.
While you gain confidence, do not be shy about asking people to help. I have even had someone push my right leg over!
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Post Achilles surgery I dismount onto a drywall bench
Horse knows to park next to it now🦄
Still use 3 step for mounting
Will attempt to post an example
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OH that looks good! And also looks light and easy enough to carry around.
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The sharp corners on the platform and the steps look too risky to me.
No need to spend the money and time enclosing it. We built the same thing with no “walls” and it is light enough can pick it up and move it. The platform we built is 6’ long and 3’ wide. I like the length to give me more room to get on and off, and having some length past the shoulder encourages them to stand straight. I always walk off directly forward or forward and turn right, never left.
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And if you are worried about the sharp edges and corners you can always attach pool noodles to cushion the wood. I can’t build a mounting block but I can attach pool noodles.
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I rode today and my friend spotted me for mounting and dismounting. It took me two tries to dismount while my friend held the offside stirrup. My mare is so freaking good. She just stood there. My thigh is still catching on the cantle. I thought it was my heel not able to go over her croup. I will master this if it takes all winter! Friend said I need to lean further forward. And try to stand up a little in the stirrups. I’m fine once the right leg is over.
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