Re: RC: Step stools

[BMcCrary27@aol.com]

In a message dated 02/16/2000 6:56:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
EnduranceMorgan@aol.com writes:

<< No, you're not alone. I use a step stool whenever I ride and my boys 
aren't 
 very tall - 14.2 & 15. It is easier on their backs and definitely easier for 
 me. Boy, it's a ##### getting old. I have had people at the trail head thank 
 me for having my step stool out; they use it too.
  >>

The two horses I'm riding at the moment are over 15 hands, and my senior body 
is stiffer than in my youth.  I use my husband's wood chopping block for 
mounting in the yard and shamelessly utilize anything I can on the trail .... 
a large rock, log, mound of dirt, berm of a road, or simply put the horse on 
the downhill side of me.  One benefit of this sort of mounting is that the 
horses must learn to hold still while I mount.  No more of this "a good horse 
is one that is 1/4 mile down the trail before I get my leg over his back" 
stuff.  I was so excited to discover that I could guide the 5-year old to the 
mounting block by neck reining while I was standing on the block.  Both he 
and the 9 year old mare stand while I mount.  I've long since given up the 
one-foot hop while the horse is moving out onto the trail.  I've admired 
those plastic mounting blocks available, but can't justify the $35 they cost 
when we have this perfectly good chopping block.

Barbara