The best way to mount, without hurting your pony’s back or damaging the saddle, is to use a mounting block. If there is someone nearby who knows how to give you a leg-up, then that would work just as well.
| Lead your pony up to the mounting block (an upturned feed bin does the job) until it is near his left foreleg. With the reins in one hand behind your back, use your other hand to pick up your pony’s forelegs, one at a time, as if you were going to pick them out. Pull the leg gently out to the front. This stretches the skin under the girth and ensures it isn’t wrinkled or pinched. |
| When both legs have been stretched, slide each stirrup down the stirrup leathers so they are ready for your feet when you are in the saddle. A quick way of checking that the stirrup leathers are the correct length for your legs is to make a fist, hold your knuckles against where the stirrup leather buckle sits against the saddle, and pull the stirrup iron towards your armpit. If the stirrup leather reaches all the way from your knuckle to your armpit, it is the right length. |
| The next piece of tack to consider is the reins. Throw them over your pony’s head (careful of his eyes and ears!), and make sure they are not twisted. Hold the reins about a hand’s width away from the buckle. |
| Now you are ready to stand on the mounting block. Again, face your pony’s tail — this will help stop you from twisting your left stirrup leather. When you are ready, put your left foot in the stirrup. Hold the stirrup steady with your right hand if need be, but keep a hold of the reins in your left hand. Move your left hand, with the reins, up to the pommel (the rounded area at the front of the saddle). Hold the cantle (the back) of the saddle, with your right hand, just to steady yourself as you swing your right leg over the saddle.
Put your weight on your left foot, which is already in the left stirrup, step off the mounting block, sit gently in the seat of the saddle, and find the other stirrup with your right foot.
If your pony is skittish, ask someone to stand at his head to discourage him from walking away before you are securely in the saddle. |
| With your feet in the stirrups and your legs comfortably against your pony’s sides, you are almost ready to ride. But there is one more thing to consider: how to hold your reins. For a start, loosely — most ponies dislike having their mouth pulled at as soon as their rider is in the saddle. So, without tugging on the bit, hold each rein in your fists. Turn your hands so that your wrists are facing outwards (as if you were going to give the thumbs-up), move your thumbs over the top of the reins, and, lastly, slip your little fingers under the reins. This ends up giving you more control and feels more comfortable. |