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Do you know why we mount from the left?

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  • #21
    Originally posted by Curb Appeal View Post
    I was taught the sword thing too.

    I always make sure a horse will accept mounting from both sides though.
    The horse will accept it. But I can't coordinate my own body to do it!!!

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    • #22
      Originally posted by twofatponies View Post
      The horse will accept it. But I can't coordinate my own body to do it!!!
      Good idea to practice now, before you may one day have to. Don't ask how I know this!
      The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
      Winston Churchill

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      • #23
        Icelandics are traditionally handled from the right...go figure. And it's not like they didn't wield swords and stuff....

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        • #24
          When I had to mount from the ground the other day, I did it from the right because my left ankle is still weak from where I sprained it a few weeks ago. Horse looked at me sideways a bit, but it was no big deal.
          The Trials and Jubilations of a Twenty-Something Re-rider
          Happy owner of Kieran the mostly-white-very-large-not-pony.

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          • #25
            my girlfriend mounts her horse from the right, as she could not get on the left side one day when he was being a pain, and he was surprised when she mounted from the right. She has done this ever since.

            I think it is a good idea to try to alternate if your horse will allow it. then he back muscles will be strong evenly on both sides.

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            • #26
              Originally posted by TikiSoo View Post
              Funnily enough, American carousels turn counter clockwise because of the brass ring catch & toss of yesteryear. Since most people are righties, the carousel turns that way.

              European carousels turn clockwise so people could mount by the correct side!
              Haha, that's funny...I just went to an amusement park and now thinking back on it, I went around the other (left) side of the horse to "mount"...habit I guess!
              My CANTER cutie Chip and IHSA shows!
              http://www.youtube.com/kheit86

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              • #27
                ...and because of all these years riding, my left leg/quads are MUCH stronger then my right. I find that I unconsciously use my left leg first to climb stairs and for any other big steps I need to take, such as stepping up on bench or something. OTOH, my left knee sure has developed some funny clicks and creaks to it as I get older...

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                • #28
                  I ditto the sword thing.

                  I am glad for this too...because I cannot mount from the right, I'm not coordinated enough I am working Katie though so that she will accept either side. Who knows what her role will be here in the future so I figure we might as well get her used to everything. Paco? That dear old boy will accommodate anyone.
                  I Loff My Quarter Horse & I love Fenway Bartholomule cliques

                  Just somebody with a positive outlook on life...go ahead...hate me for that.

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                  • #29
                    LOL when i start a horse, everyone knows which day i begin practicing mounting & first rides cuz I have to wear stretch pants in order to be able to mount from the right. ugh, those days are the worst! LOL
                    My blog: Change of Pace - Retraining a standardbred via dressage

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                    • #30
                      My husband and I are having an Akira Kurosawa film festival this summer. We have watched several samurai epics, and they always mount on the right even though their swords are on the left. Their swords stick straight out behind them, unlike what we're used to seeing in cavalry movies, so they don't get in the way. Then, they dismount on whichever side is quickest.

                      Seven Samurai and Ran--genius!!!
                      2012 goal: learn to ride like a Barn Rat

                      A helmet saved my life.

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                      • #31
                        The real answer ...

                        Who cares .... Dr. Hilary Clayton says you should mound and dismount from both sides. If horses 'prefer' the left eye, I think is it more likely because they are handled by right handed people, and so their brains are conditioned to 'prefer' the left eye.

                        But whether they prefer it or not, on a daily basis both horse and RIDER need to develop a more even balance, dexterity, agility, facility, etc. on BOTH sides and between BOTH sides of their bodies. So for me, on a daily basis, I try to develop the bodies to be as evenly opposed and supported as possible.
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                        • #32
                          Originally posted by Andrea_W View Post
                          Hi Pat, what do think about the left-eye preference theory?
                          That study seems wrought with holes. Two groups of horses? Sorry, that's not enough groups for any type of valid conclusion. They need a group of unhandled horses to really tell if a horse prefers an eye or not.

                          My horse could be considered 'ambidextrous' but that doesn't mean he isn't handled more from the left than the right and may prefer his left eye.
                          Keith: "Now...let's do something normal fathers and daughters do."
                          Veronica: "Buy me a pony?"

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                          • #33
                            Originally posted by Ltc4h View Post
                            Yes, mounting with sword
                            Another fact that goes with this;

                            Mane- trained to lye on the right, so your sword doesn't get caught in it while unsheathing.
                            heard the sword thing before, but never heard an explanation for this- neat!

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                            • #34
                              Originally posted by Nezzy View Post
                              my girlfriend mounts her horse from the right, as she could not get on the left side one day when he was being a pain, and he was surprised when she mounted from the right. She has done this ever since.

                              I think it is a good idea to try to alternate if your horse will allow it. then he back muscles will be strong evenly on both sides.

                              I've had the same experience with a horse who clearly had some trauma associated with mounting- if you didn't let her walk off as you mounted she'd throw a fit, spinning, bucking, rearing, bolting. I worked for months with her on standing while mounting and made very very very slow progress. I tried mounting from the right and she was quiet. Tried from the left and she was nuts again! Tells you something about their ability (or inability!) to translate things they learn on one side to the other... and how important it is, therefore, to do each thing both ways, perhaps for more reasons than just equalizing muscles/conditioning each way.

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                              • #35
                                The "sword" rational for the left being the "on" side is wrong. Xenophon recommended this method as the mounted warrior of his time (sans saddle, stirrups, etc.) mounted with his javelin in the right hand. If you've never read his "On Equitation" and "The Cavalry Commander" you're missing some very important information.

                                So it was weapon related, just a different weapon.

                                There have lots of other rationals proposed, but Xenophon wrote about 280 B.C. so he's got seniority.

                                G.
                                Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão

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                                • #36
                                  Originally posted by joiedevie99 View Post
                                  I was taught that it was to avoid stabbing yourself on your sword as you got on.
                                  Of course.

                                  Though I seldom use one anymore, it's also the reason that the bight of the reins should fall to the right.

                                  SO messy if the sword gets tangled up in it.
                                  Inner Bay Equestrian
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                                  • #37
                                    I agree with several other posters--the horses preferred it because they've been handled off the left side all their lives. Unfortunately, it's really hard to study animals because of that.
                                    _________________________

                                    http://iamthesprinklerbandit.blogspot.com/

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                                    • #38
                                      So your sword doesn't get in the way.

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                                      • #39
                                        I carry my sword with me at all times. Sometimes it gets in the way when I clean stalls. It sure helps when I draw it out (is that the term?) and make a point with said sword!!!! LOL LIke, get over there, or I will stab you with this thing. LOL
                                        Sandy
                                        www.sugarbrook.com
                                        hunter/jumper ponies

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                                        • #40
                                          Alagirl - I think that Vikings tended to carry their weapons across their backs. If you were drawing a two handed broad sword with your right hand you would want the handle over your left shoulder and the end of the sword over your right hip... therefore it would make sense to mount from the right side of the horse.

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