One of the complaints that people have about treeless saddles is that it is difficult to mount from the ground without turning the saddle. I always do my best NOT to mount from the ground, even when using a treed saddle, as:
- My horses are big,
- I’m not as supple as I used to be so it’s hard to reach the stirrup with my left foot, and
- It puts stress on your horse’s withers and back.
On Yahoo’s Treeless Saddle Group there has been an ongoing discussion about portable stools — mounting aids that you then carry with you. Interesting idea, but not particularly relevant in New England where large rocks, stone walls, and stumps are everywhere.
They look pretty bulky to me.
Someone else posted a solution that’s pretty darn nifty (please visit the Treeless Saddle Group to read the whole thread where you can read more about this invention). Easy to use and easy to carry.
Folks, there is such an easy way to mount from the ground without
turning the saddle.
- Stand on the OFF or right side of your horse.
- Snap a round lead rope to a D ring on the right front of the saddle.
- Run the lead rope down toward the ground along side the girth,
right behind the elbow. - Pass the end of the rope behind the elbow then between the front legs so that it comes out at the horses chest.
- Run the end of the rope up the right shoulder and toss the end over the horses withers.
- Go to the left side to mount. Grab the horse’s mane and the lead rope in your left hand. Pull the slack out of the lead rope so it is snug.
- While holding the mane and the rope, MOUNT. Simple. It simply counterbalances the saddle just like if you had someone holding your outside stirrup.
- Drop the rope from your hand to the ground then pull it up from between the legs. Stow it. You can loop it around the horse’s neck or tie it to the saddle.
chicamuxen
