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Dan's Saddlery Quad Step mounting block?

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  • #21
    The 4-stepper be teetery just as you fear, RAR. Sometimes they feel solid, but should you step too far to the "outside" edge of the top step, you will risk rolling the whole thing underneath the horse.

    You can learn to use a Dan's block and do ok. For getting on bareback? I cons outweigh the pros, IMO. I think you'll spend lots of money for a 4th step that's hard to use when you lack stirrups and isn't that much higher than a 3-step.

    Remind me: What's so wrong with the Redneck Way of climbing up on your truck's bumper or trailer fender? It's my favorite and tall enough that I can just *descend* onto my horse's back and anchor a waiting saddle pad there with my butt.
    The armchair saddler
    Politically Pro-Cat

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    • Original Poster

      #22
      Originally posted by mvp View Post
      The 4-stepper be teetery just as you fear, RAR. Sometimes they feel solid, but should you step too far to the "outside" edge of the top step, you will risk rolling the whole thing underneath the horse.

      You can learn to use a Dan's block and do ok. For getting on bareback? I cons outweigh the pros, IMO. I think you'll spend lots of money for a 4th step that's hard to use when you lack stirrups and isn't that much higher than a 3-step.

      Remind me: What's so wrong with the Redneck Way of climbing up on your truck's bumper or trailer fender? It's my favorite and tall enough that I can just *descend* onto my horse's back and anchor a waiting saddle pad there with my butt.
      Thanks for the input.

      Aside from the fact that I broke one of the running light covers the other day while trying to mount from the trailer fender ...

      Difficult to use the truck's tailgate because most of the time, I leave the trailer hooked up to the truck.

      I've never felt all that secure up on the fender.

      I have a couple friends with MS or CP - they would need a Princess Mounting Block even with stirrups. Fender / tailgate would not be sufficient for them. (Yes, I realize I'm introducing new evidence )

      Here's another option:
      http://westlanddistributinginc.com/i...d=14&Itemid=27

      I'm going to look into this. At first glance, it looks like a do-it-yourself steps kit. Might be Just the Thing.
      Approved helmet: Every time; every ride.
      "When a sport gets to be predictable it ceases to be fun." - RAR's wise brother

      Comment


      • #23
        You could teach your horse to kneel for you to mount...

        I wonder if anyone has thought about making a step attachment for the fender. It could be something that folds up.
        Intermediate Riding Skills

        Comment


        • #24
          NO NO !!! NOT EXACTLY !

          Originally posted by Risk-Averse Rider View Post
          You must ride really short horses - or have really long stirrups.

          That ladder is only 2 feet tall.
          NO NO ~ I meant like it in "build" same brand - mine is just like the one shown EXCEPT TALLER ~ I will measure today !!! Sorry ~ I am riding a 16 hand mare and am very short legged myself I would have to take a flying leap off the "shown" step stool. or put said step stool on top of that three step mounting block !
          Last edited by Zu Zu; Jun. 16, 2010, 12:37 PM. Reason: addition
          Zu Zu Bailey " IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE ! "

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          • #25
            I used these:

            http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-De...atalogId=10053

            and 2x4s. It is about 5 feet wide. And actually I realized that it is over 7 years old. I would avoid plywood as it just won't stand up to the heat as well. It has made it very easy to get on my 17.3+ - that's as far as my stick will go - shirexthrbrd.

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            • #26
              Originally posted by Bells View Post
              That is what we used, but the 4 step. They make step boards just for them. We added 2x4s for the braces and uprights. This is probably at least 5 years old. It is our 3rd, as the others keep disappearing?!?!?!

              The whole thing is probably $35?
              Attached Files

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              • Original Poster

                #27
                Originally posted by Zu Zu View Post
                NO NO ~ I meant like it in "build" same brand - mine is just like the one shown EXCEPT TALLER ~ I will measure today !!! Sorry ~ I am riding a 16 hand mare and am very short legged myself I would have to take a flying leap off the "shown" step stool. or put said step stool on top of that three step mounting block !
                Ah - much clearer now!

                That might work for Orion the Wonder Haffie, and for Panda-chan, but wouldn't work for me ;-)

                Thanks for clarifying.
                Approved helmet: Every time; every ride.
                "When a sport gets to be predictable it ceases to be fun." - RAR's wise brother

                Comment

                • Original Poster

                  #28
                  Fairview Horse Center and Bells...

                  That looks MUCH more promising, especially as it comes in a 4-step version. It could be as wide and I wanted it, and it looks like I could also extend the top platform - use 2 stair treads instead of just one.

                  whicker A woman at our old barn did this (I've posted about this recently). When her mare was done being ridden, she would kneel and not get up until the woman dismounted.
                  Approved helmet: Every time; every ride.
                  "When a sport gets to be predictable it ceases to be fun." - RAR's wise brother

                  Comment


                  • #29
                    I looked everywhere but, alas, have no photos of my mounting block. It’s old and has survived many, many years outdoors in the baking heat and the snowy and rainy seasons. It has three steps up to a large platform and three steps down the other side (picture Fairweather’s but with a large 30” x 30” platform at the top and steps down the other side), so you climb up from either direction which is very helpful when you need to first get your giant horse to agree to park before you attempt clambering aboard. It’s approx. 34” high. I can easily get on my 17hh horse bareback from it and don’t even need a stirrup to swing a leg over if my horses are tacked up.

                    If you’re concerned about the longevity of wood construction, you could always use one of those composite decking materials like Trex. I’d strongly advise against building with Âľ” plywood.

                    Comment

                    • Original Poster

                      #30
                      GoodyTwo

                      Oooooooh! I like the idea of having steps in both directions.

                      Especially if you were going to be helping someone else mount.

                      Soon, we shall have designed The Ultimate Mounting Block.

                      Perhaps with a mini-fridge under the platform for storing Fruity Dregs and other post-ride refreshments?
                      Approved helmet: Every time; every ride.
                      "When a sport gets to be predictable it ceases to be fun." - RAR's wise brother

                      Comment


                      • #31
                        Not sure if it's been mentioned, as I didn't read all posts, but please be careful with any type of folding step stools. Mounting blocks are solid for a reason- the horse cannot get tangled in it in the event that it tips over or the horse walks away/gets spooked, etc. I have personally seen the effects of such a stool on a horse that casually moved forward while the rider mounted. It was not pretty, and the animal required some serious sewing skills after all was said and done.

                        We have the 4 step Dan's model. It's nice. But you can also lay the 3 step "on its back", which actually makes it taller than the 4 step. It's a little unstable, but with a quiet horse and a balanced individual, it works better, IMHO.
                        Here today, gone tomorrow...

                        Comment


                        • #32
                          I checked and Guess what ?

                          Originally posted by Risk-Averse Rider View Post
                          Ah - much clearer now!

                          That might work for Orion the Wonder Haffie, and for Panda-chan, but wouldn't work for me ;-)

                          Thanks for clarifying.
                          I checked today my step ladder/stool is 24" as first tht. and it is this very same one as in the photo ~ I used it today as everyday - 16 hand mare and I am short legged BUT I do ride with slightly longer stiruups NOW after a THR on the left side... I also measured my three step mounting block from Dover it is only 21" high and I am unable to use it with my fake hip = too short - does not put me close enough height wise to my stirrup. How do you like those apples? Sorry my clarification has now colicked ! I guess ?
                          Last edited by Zu Zu; Jun. 16, 2010, 06:32 PM. Reason: addition
                          Zu Zu Bailey " IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE ! "

                          Comment


                          • #33
                            A friend has a "two sided" mounting block. It's plywood and is about 5-6 years old, even here in muggy Ocala. From the side it looks like this:
                            ___
                            __l l__
                            l______l

                            She had it built. It is actually three steps.
                            Everyone loves it. The top is about 2 ft square.

                            Well, the drawing does not quite translate well, I edited it twice.....

                            L

                            Comment


                            • #34
                              I used the 4 step too - I just couldn't find an example on the depot's site. Mine looks exactly like Fairview's - EXCEPT the open fronts - I had this fear of tripping into my horse by catching a toe on the underside of the step so I also placed 2x4s across the open rise of the steps - and I made mine longer/wider it is about 5 feet long. I have no idea how much I spent but I know it couldn't have been much as I am quite the cheap butt.

                              I think it would be cool and probably quite easy to have steps in both directions - you could make a mini platform.

                              Comment


                              • #35
                                Howzabout one of these:
                                https://www.vjhomefitness.com/images/minitramp1.jpg
                                You jump in the saddle,
                                Hold onto the bridle!
                                Jump in the line!
                                ...Belefonte

                                Comment


                                • #36
                                  Misty Blue-

                                  Excellent design!!

                                  You can get cooled off from the air flow at the same time. I think some sparkles should be added to the outfits of horse and rider. Something in RAR's hunt colors..which is a nifty tartan plaid.
                                  Intermediate Riding Skills

                                  Comment

                                  • Original Poster

                                    #37
                                    Originally posted by FrenchFrytheEqHorse View Post
                                    We have the 4 step Dan's model. It's nice. But you can also lay the 3 step "on its back", which actually makes it taller than the 4 step. It's a little unstable, but with a quiet horse and a balanced individual, it works better, IMHO.
                                    I looked at mine today and pictured it turned the way you describe

                                    Maybe the 3 step I have is different from the one you have, but doing that with my 3 step would make for a VERY unstable situation. And a smaller platform to stand on.

                                    Point taken about the open ladder type mounting block. I have a little plastic Rubbermaid 2-step that I haul around in the trailer, and I worry about that sometimes. Maybe I need to suck it up and put a solid mounting block in the back of the truck. There's no room for it in the dressing room.
                                    Approved helmet: Every time; every ride.
                                    "When a sport gets to be predictable it ceases to be fun." - RAR's wise brother

                                    Comment

                                    • Original Poster

                                      #38
                                      Originally posted by MistyBlue View Post
                                      Ah, yes - the Cavalia Mounting Block.
                                      Approved helmet: Every time; every ride.
                                      "When a sport gets to be predictable it ceases to be fun." - RAR's wise brother

                                      Comment


                                      • #39
                                        Fairview Horse Center - Thank you for the picture and idea. I have a homemade wooden one as well. I think yours is a little better than mine for outdoors. I will get my husband and son to build me one from the step risers for my outdoor ring.
                                        I have been using the bleachers as a mounting block and some of the horses do not like standing beside them.

                                        Comment


                                        • #40
                                          I wonder how much a big (3-feet-tall big), flat-topped boulder from a landscaping company would cost?

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