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Do you know why we mount from the left?

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  • #41
    Originally posted by fourmares View Post
    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.
    That would make sense... But Vikings didn't use two-handed broadswords. The average Viking sword was only about 37" long from point to pommel.

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    • #42
      Vikings were most sea-going warriors. While they probably could ride they were not well trained in mounted combat. They would have been in the nature of "mounted marines" not "horse cavalry."

      Vikings were also very partial to axes. And they liked clubs, hammers, and other "blunt trauma" weapons. Thier nature was "up close and personal" fighting vice long range exchanges with javelins, arrows, etc.

      G.
      Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão

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      • #43
        Well, I've DIS-mounted straight over a horse's head, although I prefer to fall off on the left (I'm left-handed). Now that would be a great topic for research!!

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        • #44
          Originally posted by Guilherme View Post
          Vikings were most sea-going warriors. While they probably could ride they were not well trained in mounted combat. They would have been in the nature of "mounted marines" not "horse cavalry."
          Having just come back from Stockholm where I visited several Viking museums, I would beg to differ. Horses were quite important in Viking culture, and the exhibits included stirrups, bits, spurs, bridle fittings, and so on.

          No, not "horse cavalry", but definitely fighting on horseback.
          Janet

          chief feeder and mucker for Music, Spy, Belle and Tiara. Someone else is now feeding and mucking for Chief and Brain (both foxhunting now).

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          • #45
            I have tried to mount my horse from the right side and get the look. YOu know the look that they give you...

            He gave me the same look last night when I tapped him with my crop. i was like oh crp..he is going to give me pay back.
            Insignia MC - Spanish PRE mare
            Kenny - Hanoverian Gelding
            Tuggy - RIP at the bridge (9/12/2016)
            Theodore the Boxer - RIP at the the bridge (10/5/2017)

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            • #46
              I don't know why we mount from the left, except for the sword thing. I did try to mount from the right though. The first time I did it, I went to his right side, put my foot in the stirrup. The horse looked at me like "what do you think you're doing?" I told him, "don't worry sweetie I know what I'm doing". I made two tiny jumps as normal, and hopped on gracefully, then holy smoke, why was I looking at his butt and tail? I looked back, stared at my horse him staring back. That saint of horse did not move other than that ??? and "I told you" look. There my instructor was rolling on the ground. She knew it all and she just let me do it. Grrrr

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              • #47
                Originally posted by fourmares View Post
                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.
                My master swordsman husband says you would only draw your sword like that if you wanted to die via forearm to nose.

                Two handed weapons are worn straight up and down and are only used by dismounted forces. You would pull the sword out over you right shoulder.

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                • #48
                  Originally posted by Guilherme View Post
                  Vikings were also very partial to axes. And they liked clubs, hammers, and other "blunt trauma" weapons. Thier nature was "up close and personal" fighting vice long range exchanges with javelins, arrows, etc.

                  G.
                  Ummm.... you throw axes. They are a wicked thrown weapon that have the habit of bouncing along making thme cover quite a long distance. You do not fight close quarters with an axe because you are easily disarmed with a sword. Ask me how I know......

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                  • #49
                    Clubs hammers and axes are also multi-use items... I'm not so sure that throwing your ax would be a great plan in a fight... after all once you've thrown it you are disarmed.

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                    • #50
                      Originally posted by CoopsZippo View Post
                      Ummm.... you throw axes. They are a wicked thrown weapon that have the habit of bouncing along making thme cover quite a long distance. You do not fight close quarters with an axe because you are easily disarmed with a sword. Ask me how I know......
                      Actually, many Vikings did fight with axes, either with a shorter-hafted axe and shield or with a two-handed longaxe. The Vikings' use of the axe has been well-documented, as their proficiency with it tended to terrify opponents.

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                      • #51
                        An axe is a multi-use device. It can cleave a tree or a torso, depending upon the will of hand that wields it.

                        It can also be used a "distance weapon" but is not in the same league as a javelin, pylum, or arrow.

                        Hammers also have multiple uses.

                        Clubs are pretty much single purpose tools. Of all the things Vikings used as weapons they would have been the cheapest to aquire.

                        As noted, many Viking warriors chose the axe as their preferred weapon for close combat, although in that role it has its limits. I wonder if the Viking preference for these "multi-purpose" things reflect the fact that the Norse country at the time was relatively poor and good sword makers would have been in short supply, high demand, and expensive to engage?

                        G.
                        Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão

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                        • #52
                          I get on and off of mine from both sides. Of course, decades of habit make it easier for me to get on from the left- but I force myself (or more often, cheat and use a log or mounting block).

                          On mountain trails, I get on or off on the uphill side, never mind which side it is for the horse!

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                          • #53
                            Originally posted by Gloria View Post
                            ...holy smoke, why was I looking at his butt and tail? I looked back, stared at my horse him staring back. That saint of horse did not move other than that ??? and "I told you" look.

                            ROTFLMAO!!!!

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                            • #54
                              Originally posted by Guilherme View Post
                              I wonder if the Viking preference for these "multi-purpose" things reflect the fact that the Norse country at the time was relatively poor and good sword makers would have been in short supply, high demand, and expensive to engage?
                              I am not so sure anbout being "relatively poor" compared with other countries/places in those times. The Vikings were as known for trade as plunder, and the "Viking hoards" contained great treasure.

                              In addition, Scandanavia had large supplies of easily accessble iron ore, and trees for making charcoal, so metalworkers were not uncommon.
                              Janet

                              chief feeder and mucker for Music, Spy, Belle and Tiara. Someone else is now feeding and mucking for Chief and Brain (both foxhunting now).

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                              • #55
                                Originally posted by Guilherme View Post
                                I wonder if the Viking preference for these "multi-purpose" things reflect the fact that the Norse country at the time was relatively poor and good sword makers would have been in short supply, high demand, and expensive to engage?
                                Gee, they sound like farriers.
                                2012 goal: learn to ride like a Barn Rat

                                A helmet saved my life.

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                                • #56
                                  In all these posts I see no mention of the handedness of the human and the associated dominant leg... Most humans are right handed, so prefer to balance on the right leg (as in lifting the left to the stirrup) and also will prefer to swing the dominant leg (as in kicking a ball). So maybe that's a major factor....
                                  Turn off the computer and go ride!

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                                  • #57
                                    Originally posted by fourmares View Post
                                    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.

                                    I had a bit different theory about it, one being that the horses are quiet a bit smaller than a knight's charger, the other being the profound differences in society. Besides, it would be easier to fight off the horse if the steed didn't block your sword/axe hand!

                                    Comment

                                    • #58
                                      Medieval Scholar's Viewpoint

                                      1. Having worn a sword, the original explanation makes perfect sense to me. It can be a bit clumsy just walking with one on your belt, I can't imagine trying to mount with it
                                      2.On Kurasowa: The reason that their swords don't get in the way is that the Katana was attached differently than the western sword. It hung perpendicular to the belt via two loops mounted on the center of the blade, rather than the hilt as in the west. Thus, they were out of the way\
                                      3. On Viking axes: While the Fransica, or throwing axe, is not a good hand-to-hand weapon, the actual Danish axe was anywhere between 3-5 1/2 feet long, and designed to be used as a pole arm. It had greater reach, and the head was heavy enough that it could shear through most armor. As a result, it was devastating in close combat.
                                      Intermediate Riding Skills

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