It sounds like a no-brainer. I mean, getting on and off your horse should be the easiest thing about riding, right?

While mounting and dismounting certainly rate lower on the degree of difficulty scale than, say, the piaffe, there’s still a right way to do it. Unfortunately, some riders don’t pay enough attention to mounting and dismounting, and even instructors tend to ignore these two important aspects of riding. The fact is, improper mounting and dismounting can be awkward and painful for the rider, and can cause pain—sometimes even physical damage—to the horse. The goal of every rider should be safe, smooth, and careful mounting and dismounting.

Let’s talk about mounting first. First of all, every rider should learn to mount from the ground. After all, you may find yourself in a situation when a block isn’t available. That being said, mounting from the ground puts more strain and torque on the horse’s back than mounting from a block. So once you’ve learned how to mount from the ground, commit to mounting from a block in all situations where mounting from the ground isn’t absolutely necessary. Remember, you can use just about anything for a mounting block. Try a log, a bucket, or a large rock.

When you are ready to mount, always stand as close to your horse as you can. The farther away you stand, the more torque and strain you put on both your back and the horse’s back. Stand at your horse’s shoulder, and face his rear. Hold the reins and some mane in your left hand right in front of the withers. Your right rein should be a little shorter than your left rein. Next, twist your stirrup enough to place the ball of your left foot into it. Turn your toe in toward your horse’s girth, taking care not to poke him! Place your right hand on the twist of the saddle, bend your right knee, and keeping your body close to the horse’s jump up from the ground. Get your weight balanced over the center of saddle as quickly as possible. While your foot is in the stirrup, your weight at this point should be on your hands. Swing your right leg over the saddle, put your foot in the other stirrup, and then slowly and smoothly sit into the saddle.

What about dismounting? Well, when it all comes down to it, dismounting is really just mounting in reverse! Take both feet out of the stirrups, and place your weight on your hands and arms. Next, gently swing your right leg over the horse’s body, taking care not to kick him. At this point, your legs should be hanging on the left side of the horse, and you should be leaning slightly over your horse’s back. Gently slide down your horse’s back, and be sure to bend your knees when you hit the ground to minimize the impact on your own back!

Remember, smooth, safe, and comfortable mounting and dismounting are necessary for a good beginning and good end to any ride!