Why do you mount horses on the left?

Answer 1

Originally, mounting was done on the left side so that cavalry soldiers wouldn't foul their sheathed swords as they were mounting.

Because men used to carry swords, and a right-handed swordsman carries his scabbard on the left side. it would get in the way if he tried to mount from the right!

There is no real reason you have to mount your horse from the left side. It actually originated as an old habit developed by medieval knights because they had a long sword hanging down the left side, so mounting their horse from the same side that their sword was on was the only option they had. Today, you can mount a horse from either side. I believe the Native Americans mounted their horses from the right side, or the "off" side, instead of the "on" side which is the left.

You mount from the left because it is traditional. The left handed mount has it's origins in the cavalry. A right handed soldier would wear their sword on their left hip. To prevent the sword from hitting the horse and possibly scaring it, they began to mount from the left side. However nowadays it is best to train a horse to mount from both sides.

It originated from when soldiers had to mount horses. To avoid the swords hitting the horses flanks and spooking them the soldiers always mounted from the left (also called the near side.).

It has been tradition since the Indians did it. Some cowboys mount from both sides for a faster mount and dismount.

The reason why horses are mounted on the left side goes a long way back. Originally, in the Middle Ages, the knights had their swords on their left sides so that they could pull them out with their right hand. They did not want to stab their horses by accident while mounting on the right side so they always mounted on the left side. This continued to be done and it has just stayed as how horses are trained. However, when training a horse or pony, it is always good the make sure that they are comfortable with mounting on either side in case of an accident.

In medieval times, swords were the weapon of choice. Most people are right handed, and left-handedness was extremely uncommon back then. If you are right-handed, you pull the sword from the scabbard most easily if it's on the left side of your body. It's hard to swing your leg and a sword over a horse, so it became common to mount from the left side, because then you stick your right leg (the one without the sword next to it) over the horse to mount. The practice never really fell out of style, although many horses now are trained to mount from both sides, the left simply remains the more popular side.

because horses are trained to expect someone to mount from that side . it also is said to date back to old times when men wore swords on their sides, the sword would be in the way if they mounted from the right
In Medevil times when knights carried swords, they were carried on the right side so they could be used with the right arm. If they were to mount their horses from the left side, the swords would not be in the way. Not much has changed since the way people rode back then, so today you are supposed to mount a horse from the left. While most people still mount from the left, it's best to train both yourself and your horse to mount from BOTH sides. There may come a time when a situation arises when you will need to mount from the right. You want to train the horse as well as practice mounting from both sides NOW. Don't wait until you are out on a trail ride and the left stirrup strap breaks, or you sprain or break your leg, and can not lift yourself onto the horse from the left. There may arise any number of other situations that require mounting from the right. A well trained horse is trained from both sides, which also trains the horses's mind to to be comfortable being mounted from both sides. Horses always need to be trained on both sides for *everything*, because their minds are such that each side requires a different part of their brain.

Training a horse to mount from both sides could be a life saver. I know that first hand, because I once tripped on a log and broke my ankle while camping as part of a trail ride. Although I was with another person, they could not lift me into the saddle, and I could not tolerate the pain of mounting from the left, even with this persons's help. I had to mount from the right to get in the saddle and ride my horse to get help. Fortunately my horse was trained on both sides. It could have been really bad if the horse spooked and threw me while I was mounting from the right. Ever since that day, I am a strong advocate of training all horses to be mounted from both sides. You may be required to mount from the left at a horse show, but in informal settings, mount from whichever side suits your fancy, and alternate to keep your horse familiar with mounting from both sides.

Answer 2

Side to Mount a HorseYou are taught to always mount a horse or pony from the "near" side or the animal's left side. The right side of a horse or pony is considered the "off" side.

Mounting from the left or near side of the animal has its roots back in war, when horses were ridden by soldiers armed with swords. In order to avoid any potential debilitating incidents before engaging the enemy, riders would mount from the side where the sword would not impede the process. As most people would use a sword with their right hand, the scabbard hung on the left, so the left foot went into the stirrup on mounting. Most traditinal English riding has its roots back in the cavalry so this procedure of "always mount from the left hand side" has become, if you like, misinterpreted. Horses should be trained so that they accept mounting from either side. This is something that the animal can easily understand and accept. It is also useful to maintain the riders flexibilty if he/she can mount from the left and the right side.

Here are more opinions and answers from other FAQ Farmers:

• Left foot goes in left stirrup, swing the right leg over.

• You get on the left side of a horse, but it depends on the type of horse you have. Sometimes if you get on the wrong side, it will either try to kick you or it will run away.

Answer 3

You mount from the left because it is traditional. The left handed mount has it's origins in the cavalry. A right handed soldier would wear their sword on their left hip. To prevent the sword from hitting the horse and possibly scaring it, they began to mount from the left side. However nowadays it is best to train a horse to mount from both sides.

Answer 4

Because the horses are trained that way. I'm not sure why they are trained that way though.

Answer 5

I dont know this but i would take a guess its something to do with most people being right handed

Answer 6

SRRY i was wrong it is because the rider hops on the horse from the left

Answer 7

It originated from when soldiers had to mount horses. To avoid the swords hitting the horses flanks and spooking them the soldiers always mounted from the left (also called the near side.).

Answer 8

you don't need to

Answer 9

most horses are trained that way.