One of most useful tricks that Star, like Karen Clanin"s old gelding, has
learned is to sidle up to anything! All I have to do is stand on something
and he will sidepass over and I stick a leg over. I started doing this
when my vet lectured about sore withers from being pulled to one side
during mounting. He will sidle up to picnic tables, the trailer fender,
bumpers, bleachers, rocks, logs, fences...anything and everything.
I can also vault on, which I do when no mounting block is available. My
foot rarely touches the stirrup when I mount because my vet has put the
fear of god in me (or at least the fear of chiropractor bills). I can also
mount from both sides, just so his withers get an even workout if mounting
from the ground is necessary.
Both of these methods allow me to mount with a loose girth. I can usually
put a whole hand under it and have never had it roll on me while mounting.
If Star can learn to sidle, any horse can. Very useful and highly
recommended.
Shannon Loomis and Quail Meadow Star
Ohio