Thanks Janet. I’m not a member but I bet I can scare up a copy.
I did start baby steps. First, I made the decision to never dismount onto a mounting block. Next was getting on the mounting block without a horse. I literally climbed on my hands and knees. Eventually I stood on the block, trying not to cry/vomit/pass out. Then I watched the Olympics, paying attention to riders dismounting. I rewound one video at least 10 times. Actual riding happened on a steady Eddie school horse. I did 2 lessons of nothing but mounting and dismounting. The first time I mounted and dismounted my mare was the day the saddle fitter was there for my new saddle. The saddle fitter and my trainer held Ariel while I dismounted. I realized the main issue is getting my thigh over the cantle. My personal trainer/ chiro has me doing exercises for hip flexor range of motion. I still have someone hold the off stirrup while I dismount. I lean forward enough so that my head is level or below her right side neck. That gives me enough clearance to get my right thigh over.
I am very fortunate to have a village at the Barn to help me through this. Everyone has been understanding patient and wanting the best for me. I just need to get over this bout of Covid so I can get back in the saddle…
. The last time I tried to mount from the ground…like 20 years ago, I tore the cartilage in my left knee. That is the last time I have mounted without a block, a rock or a ditch to put the horse in. I always use a mounting aid and have trained my horses accordingly. I couldn’t do it. Their thinking is that for whatever reason you get off the horse, you have to be able to get back on. I finally convinced her that Iceland has lots of rocks or some kind of elevated area that I could remount. She got me a stool and I was in business. I did not get off during the ride. It was a pretty short ride. A couple miles down the road to a waterfall and back. He is tall as Icelandic horses go but yeah…I couldn’t get up there without help.
