How do you get into the saddle?

Answer 1

First, make sure your girth or cinch is tight enough. Then stand on the left side of your horse and hold both reins in your left hand with a bit of mane. Stand with your left shoulder near the horse's left shoulder, take the stirrup in your right hand and turn it clockwise toward you. Lift your left leg and slide your foot into the stirrup until it's on the ball of your foot. Let go of the stirrup with your right hand and place it onto the back of the saddle (cantle). Bounce once or twice and pull yourself up, swing your right leg over the horse's back and gently settle yourself into the saddle while putting your right foot in the right stirrup.

You can also do something similar using a mounting block, which is a sturdy 2- or 3-step stool. Or you can get a "leg up" from someone who is familiar with giving one. You stand facing your horse's left side, hold both reins in your left hand placed on the horse's neck (and grabbing mane, if desired) and right hand on the cantle and lift up your left leg. The person on the ground supports your knee and ankle, you bounce on your right leg three times and jump while the ground person helps propel you upward. You swing your right leg over the horse's back and settle carefully into the saddle.