Mounting your horse: step 2
Let’s take a deep dive into the physical demands required on you, as the rider, to perform step 2 in properly mount your horse, Mechanically, this is the step where your weight shifts from the right foot on the ground to the left foot in the stirrup. Step 2 takes a lot of strength demands in the quadricep muscles at the knee but there is also a high demand on the gluteal muscles in your bottom/hip and lower leg/ankle muscles for balance and stability.
Before we get to the one exercise you can work on to strengthening up the muscles required for step 2, lets quickly talk safety. The purpose of the “3 steps to mounting your horse” blog series is to concentrate just of the riders physical ability. Although we are not discussing the demands of the horse or looking into every single step to mounting, please do not forget about setting yourself and the horse up for a safe and successful experience.
Exercise: Progressive step ups
Start with your left foot on the mounting block
Shift your weight forward over the left leg
Push up and straighten your left leg
Balance for 3 seconds then slowly lower yourself to bring the right foot back to the ground
Keep your body weight shifted over the left leg when lowering yourself back down. The slower you lower yourself the more strength you will gain
Perform 10 step ups, try to at least 3x per week to gain strength
Progress to a higher step as you get stronger until the step is as high as your stirrup.
As you are working on the “step up” exercise, be sure to incorporate the exercises given to you in the first blog article. If you are working diligently with the exercises and continue to struggle, feel free to contact Mariane at 612-200-0619.
Starting position for the step ups
At the top of the step up