Not sure what type of mounting block you are using, but when I got a new, higher block a few years ago (3-step instead of the 2-step we had been using), my horse and a few others at the barn were very concerned about the “well” beneath the steps. My horse would try to swing his haunches away from it and another one would back up, and another one wouldn’t go near it. They all got a bit bug-eyed and snorty when facing the backside of the new mounting block, as though they were sure there was a troll living in that space. They eventually got over it except for one mare who was skeptical about it until the day she left the farm for a new owner in another state.
1 Like
It is a higher mounting block but we used it twice without a reaction. We are back to the old one now with no problem. Thanks.
1 Like
A few suggestions here.
First of all, I completely agree that at no time should the near foot remain in the stirrup during any stage of dismount. Both feet should be removed from both stirrups prior to swing in the leg over. If that seems difficult to you, I suggest practicing it on a very quiet horse multiple times until you feel comfortable. It truly is the safest way to dismount.
One suggestion would be to use this as a perfect opportunity to explore clicker training. Standing still at the mounting block is one of the easiest things to teach a horse to do using clicker training. Of course there is a process to getting there, but there are many many wonderful videos about doing this.
Essentially you teach the horse what the word “command” is for standing still, and you break down the mounting and dismounting process to include that request.I recently messed up my left hip, making mounting a little dicey for me. I have to do kind of an odd move and get my entire body and head (!) down and on the off side of the horse in order to get my right leg around. I was quite a bit concerned that if the horse moved at all during this process I would have excruciating pain.
Fortunately he was already trained to “pick me up” from the mounting block. And he stands like a statue after mounting until he gets the click and the reward. I had not intended to teach him this in case I was injured, I just used it as a task to practice teaching him anything with clicker training.
I can now take the stirrups down, put the reins over his neck 30 or 40 feet from the mounting block, and he will often beat me to the mounting block…standing with the saddle “in position”.
Often, new training skills come out of desperation when something goes wrong. This may be a real opportunity to expand your relationship with your horse, and to add a new tool to your toolbox!
6 Likes
This is exactly what I was going to suggest.
Laying over their backs keeps you safe. Repetition will help them get over it/get bored with it. And a treat for positive reinforcement of course 
Good luck!
3 Likes
I wondered about clicked training… I will look on line for methods. My chiro/saddle fitter came out today. She believes he has pain in his neck that could be causing problems. The saddle fit was fine. We are also going to rule out ulcers and have my vet examine his neck. I’m continuing the ground work and my trainer is riding him. Thank you.
But that technique was working before the new mounting block, right?
I also keep my left toe in the stirrup in my dressage saddle while dismounting.
I have seen western riders mount and dismount with an ungirthed saddle, do you think there is always right wither pressure if one’s body is close to saddle during dismount?
Both feet out of the stirrups to dismount. For muscle memory and not having to think.
You won’t always ride the same horse. If you ride a horse that is higher than you can reach the ground, and keep your foot in the stirrup, you fall over backwards, hitting your head on the ground.
5 Likes
You don’t step down, keep left foot in, swing right leg over, keeping body and weight over saddle, when both feet are level, then slip left foot out, if you are me, slide down horse, trying not to jar knees. If you are younger and fitter, lightly spring down.
Spoken as a western rider who does not have the option of a ‘clean” dismount.
5 Likes
I was talking about dismounting from an English saddle, not a western saddle. 2 feet out to dismount is one fluid action. Stopping half way to take your foot out is 2 movements and takes longer and is not suggested on a green horse. As I said before muscle memory, so you don’t have to change when you ride different horses, is safer.
2 Likes
I was referring more to the different heights and hitting your head comment, that doesn’t happen unless you are leaving one foot in the stirrup.
I get it’s conventional in English to do the no stirrups dismount, but I see many English, or maybe cross discipline riders doing the step over style.
I guess same as many other things, it comes down to what suits horse and rider best. I always preached NEVER to use a mount g block for dismounting…guess who now mounts and dismounts at the block. Getting older with bits operated on and replaced, means adapting to what works for me.
3 Likes
I recently hurt my leg. I still removed both feet from the stirrup, swung over and slid slowly down the shoulder and landed very lightly and sigh yes getting older every day.
3 Likes
First you should check whether your saddle fits correctly or not may be that could be one of the reasons. Try to listen to him may be he’s trying to tell you something. Position the block correctly or reposition it as it will allow him more freedom and then try again.
2 Likes
Oh look, you and I ate the same words! LoL. For the moment I do it only when injured (back or knee flare up), but I can definitely see a time when it will become a regular thing. Sigh. Getting old is not for the faint of heart.
4 Likes
I used to drop both stirrups to dismount. But after aging and injuries, that has become difficult. (Higher cantle on dressage saddle doesnt help!) So now I sort of split the difference. I slip my left foot so just my toe is on the stirrup. Then I can use that to help me swing the other leg over and easily slide it out once that is achieved.
And, yes, when I am really sore, stiff (or cold in the winter) I dismount at the block!
3 Likes
I hear you on adapting your style. I broke my left ankle for the second time last fall. Over the winter I took my horse to a barn with an indoor so I could ride during recovery and trained her to stand next to their mounting “platform” for both mounting and dismounting because landing on that ankle was painful. Perhaps not the safest, but if you train your horse to stand, it’s the least painful.
1 Like
I have very bad no good hips. I’m not sure how I’d make it over the cantle of any saddle without at least one foot in the stirrup. But I hang off the side (in balance) kind of leaning over the horse for as long a trip as they want to take me should horse have a moment. I can still very much kick free if need be.
2 Likes
i was paying attention to the dismount process yesterday during my lessons.
I don’t know if this is the ‘right way’ or not, but what i do is lean forward over the cantle, right foot out, pivot toward the right while taking left foot out and kinda hang there a moment… slung across the saddle like a sack of potatoes, then slowly let myself slide down to the ground. Ending with my front facing the horse’s side.
i am only 5’ tall. Unless i’m aboard a pony, there’s no way i could keep my left foot in the stirrup to dismount even if i wanted to. Nor can i get up aboard from a stirrup either.
3 Likes
At pony club we were taught to take our feet out of the stirrups, swing and click your heels over the rump like a German soldier and land at the shoulder facing the rear.
I wouldn’t say my heels actually click, however one of the ladies at a riding school commented that I had heaps of energy after a gruelling ride. Nope, totally knackered, just the way I was taught to dismount. Over the years I think that technique has probably diminished somewhat, however I have never been caught on a saddle, and obviously have never dismounted from a saddle with a horn.
2 Likes
This thread totally jinxed me. Today I dismounted from my very deep seated saddle. Swung my leg over, was surprised that I made it as easily as I did, forgot to kick out and found myself doing the splits 
1/10 do not advise. Thank god my horse has a good woah, because I very nearly went under his belly.
4 Likes
This is how my trainer dismounts. I’m ready to get back in the saddle this week. Not sure what I’m going to do!
