Will your horse allow you to mount and dismount from either side? Mounting from the left is just tradition. Read why it is important for your horse to let you mount from either side on the trail.
March 1, 2007
⎯Heidi Melocco
Will your horse allow you to mount and dismount from either side? Mounting from the left is just tradition. Soldiers would mount up on their horses left sides so that their swords, anchored over their left legs, wouldn’t harm their horses’ backs.
But you’re trail riding, not heading into battle. Make sure your horse is comfortable with you mounting and dismounting on either side. You never know when you’ll encounter a rocky cliff, a mud hole, or other trail hazard. Alternating sides also allows your horse to use muscles on the right and left sides of his spine equally, which helps his back.
Here’s how to get your horse comfortable with right (off) side mounting: (1) Lead him from the right side, asking him to stop, and turn in each direction; (2) stop him, and practice walking toward his right side, directly toward his heartgirth; (3) when your horse appears calm thus far, saddle him, and place the tip of your left boot in the right stirrup; (4) if your horse seems concerned, repeat the previous steps until he’s used to the experience; (5) if your horse stands calmly, step up into the stirrup, but be prepared to kick out your foot and jump down, if necessary; (6) if your horse remains relaxed, swing your left leg over the saddle, and gently sit down; (7) repeat your off-side mounting and dismounting until it feels comfortable to you and your horse.
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Mounting from one side puts a lot of pressure on the horse's withers and can cause sore backs. Training your horse to be mounted from either side can help equalize the pressure and keep them more balanced. This can also have positive impacts on your saddle.
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It became the “proper” way to mount in the days of the knights and other cavalry troops. Most people are right handed, so swords were hung from the left hip. Think about how awkward it would be to try to mount on the right side with the sword in the way, between you and the horse.
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Horses also use vocalizations to show affection. Nickering is one example, and they also groom one another. If your horse attempts to nibble at your back or your neck, they might be trying to take care of you in return for your care of them.
The whinny seems to be a searching call that facilitates social contact from a distance. Snorts and blows are both produced by forceful expulsion of air through the nostrils. The snort has a rattling sound but the blow does not. The snort and blow communicates alarm and apparently serves to alert other horses.
Off Side—Refers to the right side of the horse because the saddling and unsaddling is done from the other (left) side. It is sometimes referred to as the “Indian side,” because early Native Americans mounted and dismounted from that side.
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