Time to Saddle Up!

At the beginning of a lesson when it’s time for riders to get onto their horses, I sometimes wander over to see how I can help.

The instructors usually disagree.

“Milo, out of here,” they’ll say, shooing me away from the mounting area. “Go on, back to the barn.”

Personally, I’m just trying to lend a helping paw. But the instructors seem to feel that a barn cat appearing unexpectedly near a horse while someone is getting on is not the sort of help they have in mind.

At HORSEPOWER, there are a couple of ways that riders mount. You might see a rider will mount from a ramp, or from a three-step mounting block.

The ramp allows riders to reach the horse from the side without needing to climb steps or swing a leg high over the saddle. Riders who use wheelchairs or who need extra stability can roll or walk up the ramp while volunteers stand nearby to help them mount safely.

Other riders use a three-step mounting block. The steps bring the rider closer to the height of the saddle so they can mount more easily and comfortably.

Both methods serve the same purpose: helping riders get onto their horse safely and confidently.

Once mounted, the focus turns to the lesson itself: learning balance, steering, and communication with the horse.

Like many things at HORSEPOWER, the ramp and the mounting block are simply tools that make riding possible for many different riders. What matters most is that every rider has a safe and comfortable way to get into the saddle.

As for me, I won’t be using the ramp or the three-step. No self-respecting horse would let me get anywhere near their back, which is perfectly fine with me. I’ll be up on the hay wagon instead, keeping an eye on things… or possibly taking a nap.