Here is yet another Bareback Mounting Video. I know I am doing a lot of this, but mounting the horse is the beginning of all riding right? I wanted to show how to give a spot to a rider to mount the horse. This is Cassie mounting Perry, I know she’s young, talented, and in great shape but in the beginning she struggled to learn to mount bareback like anyone else.

Fredi spots Cassie under her arms, and does not lift her. Cassie does all the work. Fredi is just there for a little support. Especially if she came back down and could trip on the mounting block. If you look at the height of the horse and the height of the rider, you can see even with the mounting block it is a bit of a challenge for a young rider.

Fredi spots riders of all sizes, abilities,and ages this way. If you spot the rider in the correct way it takes minimal effort regardless of rider size. With a taller heavier rider I would suggest first trying the mount without a mounting block. Even if the rider doesn’t get high enough on the horse’s back, you will have a feel for the rider and how they land without a mounting block getting in the way.

The way Cassie has been working on perfecting the bareback mount (jump & cast) has been through repetition. If you think about it, we usually mount the horse once per ride. Then we spend the rest of the ride perfecting our and/or our horses through repetition. So treat mounting with or without a saddle like any other part of riding, with practice. It’s not unlikely for a rider to spend 15 to 20 minutes just practicing getting on and off of the horse.

One more thing I would like to add about this video that really irritates me is that Perry moved after Cassie got onto her back. The horse knows to stay put when the rider is mounting, but she took advantage of the situation. What is not shown, is the horse was backed and then we had to do it again with her standing like a statue. It didn’t work the next time either, Perry was still was misbehaving so we had to put a bridle on the horse and then she was her normal obedient self. Those horses are such cheaters aren’t they?

Deanna

Related Posts:
Bareback Mount For The Rest Of Us: Jump & Cast
Bareback Blooper

Tags: bareback

3 Comments to Bareback Mounting With a Spotter

EquineSpirit
May 21, 2008

Great video and good idea having a spotter!!

So how’s everything with baby?!? Any progression?

Deanna
May 21, 2008

Thanks EquineSpirit! I think the spotter really helps give the rider confidence.

Well, I am dilated 2cm, and have been having some really good braxton hicks contractions, so hopefully it won’t be too much longer!

Deanna

EquineSpirit
May 21, 2008

Oh boy oh boy oh boy!! Sending baby vibes!! Keep us posted…email me if you’d like!! YAY!

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