Why an Aid for Mounting is Necessary…

As the years go by, we notice that mounting becomes increasingly difficult. Our muscles get stiffer and shorter, which in itself isn’t a problem. Stretching exercises and yoga are definitely good alternatives to help us get on the horse more smoothly. Fortunately, there is also a mounting aid, which helps us mask our stiffness a little. But let’s be honest! It mainly serves to protect the back of our four-legged friend. The gentler we are getting into the saddle, the better it is for our horse’s back.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Mounting Aid?

Mounting aids come in various colors, sizes, and materials. We prefer a plastic mounting aid. In practice, these have proven to be unbreakable and can carry a lot of weight (up to 260 kg). Such a mounting aid won’t break easily if a horse kicks it.

When buying, make sure the mounting aid doesn’t have open steps, as sometimes seen with wooden mounting aids. We might imagine the worst-case scenario, but a horse could get stuck there. This could cause injuries to you or your horse and create unnecessary fear for your horse when mounting.

Why Is Mounting with a Mounting Aid Better for the Horse’s Back?

You want to be as gentle as possible with your horse’s back. We make sure the saddle fits properly and use various padding aids to keep the pressure on the back as low as possible. Incorrect pressure distribution when mounting or overloading the horse’s back would undo all of these efforts. In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to physical or behavioral problems for the horse.

What to Do If Your Horse Finds the Mounting Aid Scary?

This can always happen. In such a case, ask if someone can lend a hand by holding your horse. You can also mount in the corner of your riding arena, so your horse is less likely to step sideways. Then place the mounting aid on the second track, so you can ride past it and incorporate a little desensitization training at the same time.

Conclusion

Mounting with a mounting aid is important because:

• It creates less pressure on one side of the horse
• It is physically better for the rider

You can find all our mounting aids here.

Blog by Leane and FIRA