Here are 5 good reasons why we suggest you use a mounting block to get on your horse or pony as we at Bonnetts are committed to your horse and pony’s best welfare.

1) Using a mounting block is better for your horse’s back.
To mount up into the saddle might be easy for you, but you are putting a lot of strain on your horse’s withers and back and their balance. So why make your horse or pony feel uncomfortable before you start to ride them. The mounting block makes mounting up so much more comfortable ,there is less pressure ,tension and anxiety, a much calmer environment to start your ride with.

2) Using a mounting block is better for your own body

Horse riding is meant to be an enjoyable experience and using the mounting block is so much easier and better for your body than not using one.

3) Using a mounting block is better for your saddle
Mounting from the ground also can put quite a bit of stress on your saddle and stirrup leathers and stirrup bars. You usually mount from the same side and after a period of time you can flatten the offside saddle panel more than the near side thus leading to an uneven positioning on your horse or pony. Plus the stirrup bar on the near side takes more strain than the offside and the near side stirrup leather may become stretched as well. Using a mounting block will help extend the life of your saddle and stirrup leathers so that a symmetrical position is lengthened..

4) Using a mounting block lets your horse voice his opinion

A mounting block can be used as an important pre-riding safety check. You want to create an environment whereby your horse or pony is connected to you and ready for riding . When the horse will stand relaxed at the mounting block then they are ready for riding. The horse should willingly approach the mounting block, line up straight and then allow you to mount without them walking off .If you have to hold them still or repeatedly reposition them, they are communicating to you that something needs more attention like the saddle or the saddle position.

5) Using a mounting block is so much safer for you and your horse or pony

A mounting block is really important to help create a safer environment for you and your horse. There is so much LESS pressure on you or the horse or pony, there is LESS tension, a much calmer environment which leads to a much safer situation for everyone. You need to train them to be relaxed around the mounting block. If you are out riding and there is no mounting block around it is not ideal, but what you need to do is use the environment to your advantage like always mount up on the high side of a slope. Using a mounting block is the safest way though.

There is a variety of mounting blocks on the market and we carry a variety in our range to suit your requirements.

We really like the 3 step mounting blocks as they are so stable, broad based, strong and high enough to enable a clean and easy mounting up process.

Safe and enjoyable riding from the team at Bonnetts Saddleworld