New boy on the block

@Skib I'm not leaning over to hold the iron, just far enough to hold the leather near the skirt of the saddle. It probably sounds harder and dodgier than it is, in reality it's an easy move but just needs a little more height. School jump blocks wouldn't be high enough though (and we seem to have proper jump wings rather than blocks) unless turned onto the highest side at which point they aren't stable. We've been working on standing at the mounting block, but at the moment with the roofers in and even more stuff around it it isn't a good time and he's not a horse who, at this point in time, copes well with having his boundaries pushed too far.

@Mary Poppins why didn't I think of a decorators step, that would probably be ideal!
 
I have the extra step mounting block - couldn't keep getting on Zi with the kitchen chair, and it was a bit dodgy mounting that way. Plus I had to have something that wouldn't blow away (they are quite heavy). I think the decorators step would be okay if it's not windy though.
 
Those decorators steps are exactly what we used at Oldencraig Dressage Centre and what I would have bought. I thought I had posted that?
Our RI always holds the opposite stirrup when one mounts at the RDA mounting block. Just to be sure the saddle doesnt slip.
 
I'll try to remember to take a pic of my Ikea steps - I added blocks on top, and like everything else about me and Hogan, it's pretty tatty - but does the job !
 
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Just looking at decorators' steps on Amazon. It's the Godawful 'elf and safety handrails that get in the way!

I use these
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which are big enough for me at 5 ft 2 and my boy at 15hh
 
I'd already asked the chap who does a lot of the yard DIY to make me a bigger version of my steps so I'll wait and see what he comes up with - at least anything he makes will be nice and solid. This is what I've had for years and just want a higher version of https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/bekvaem-step-stool-aspen-10225589/ . I'd forgotten the "joys" of a low withered fidget because those steps were perfectly good for mounting 16.3 Jim!
 
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This is what I have got. No handles, study, tall but also lightweight to move around. Folds flat and is pretty cheap as well.
 
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@Skib the only ones I could see had a rail on that would get in the way, the last thing i want to do is bring the whole thing crashing down around us. I used to be able to get on Jim at 16.3 with my step, but it's the need to lean over to get the stirrup that means I need something a bit taller - once he's matured he'll hopefully have a bit more wither, mind you by then he'll hopefully be standing to mount at the mounting block too!
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I use these to get on Buddy at events on ebay i think the one i have is a little taller and it brings my foot to stirrup level for him at 16hh. Folds away, stable to use. I also had the Curver Plastics one which was fine for Molly, or Rose as they were only 15hh. they are also very stable and wide tread and good for smaller horses
 
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I ruled out a lot because of height (or lack of), rails or anything I could get my foot caught on or hit, and I wanted a flat surface between me and the horse rather than a slope that puts the bottom closer to him than the top step. Picky yes, but I don't want anything that may just create a problem when he already has doubts. We'll get there.
 
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I'm following this with interest, I still haven't sorted my mounting block quandry, and while Jess will tolerate most anything I have pretty similar criteria to you @carthorse, for when I get on Niko. Those steps are on my maybe list @diplomaticandtactful, I figured I could use them side on to him to get the top step close, but on our sandy soil small feet aren't ideal so .....
 
I ruled out a lot because of height (or lack of), rails or anything I could get my foot caught on or hit, and I wanted a flat surface between me and the horse rather than a slope that puts the bottom closer to him than the top step. Picky yes, but I don't want anything that may just create a problem when he already has doubts. We'll get there.
yes i would never use one which has a rail or rounded top on it as your leg can get caught in it so i spent a lot of time finding one that didn't have that.
 
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I'm following this with interest, I still haven't sorted my mounting block quandry, and while Jess will tolerate most anything I have pretty similar criteria to you @carthorse, for when I get on Niko. Those steps are on my maybe list @diplomaticandtactful, I figured I could use them side on to him to get the top step close, but on our sandy soil small feet aren't ideal so .....
I just bring them to wherever he is and just get on, they are very light, so i ask him to stand, bring them side on to the stirrup and climb up and onboard
 
Both the yards where I now ride have exceptional mounting blocks. The hacking yard has a long concrete block with two steps up. The RS has a wooden (custom built) RDA mounting block with three steps up and the top of the block level to the stirrup. Due to my age I am supposed to use the RDA these days (rather than the plastic ones lying around) and I dont argue as I dont know the new horse very well.
 
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Both the yards where I now ride have exceptional mounting blocks. The hacking yard has a long concrete block with two steps up. The RS has a wooden (custom built) RDA mounting block with three steps up and the top of the block level to the stirrup. Due to my age I am supposed to use the RDA these days (rather than the plastic ones lying around) and I dont argue as I dont know the new horse very well.
I also at the yard have a 5 step wooden block with large treads so i can position the horse and stirrup so that you can literally step on and no pulling on their back
 
block is good heightwise. Positioning is a problem, as I have said before. Also and issue with Luka is that you either have to walk up it while leading which he doesn't like at all or go back behind him once in place - patience is then needed in a place he isn't happy in and his current default is if in doubt go with her. It's too far back to go behind him while holding the reins. I have maybe slightly eased matters by putting my steps near to his head and using those to get onto the block, that does seem a bit more acceptable to him though he still turns his head to follow me unless distracted by nuts, and as the head turns the quarters are inclined to swing out. Using the rein to keep his head and neck from turning will produce moving back. And no, I can't get on using the other side of the mounting block, it's against a stable wall.
 
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Bless him. Parking practice on the list as well, is it? ;)

Jim used to park nicely, in fact almost too well since he wouldn't move for other people 🤣 . Mind you when he was young he was another who followed and wouldn't stay with someone else. Little Un never got it at all, but then he never did like standing still for more than a few seconds! Luka, I don't know, but if he expects me to take him everywhere with him he needs to get over himself about monsters.
 
At Oldencraig years ago, using those steps, I seem to remember the young RI putting them up facing the horse. But all safety blocks I have used run parallel to the horse, so I would put the steps alongside the horse with the steps towards the horse's tail. Then I would turn myself round at the top because I was taught to mount sideways on, standing at the shoulder and facing the tail of the horse.

I may well have a bareback lesson later this summer - depending on my confidence and balance - and that used to involve climbing on from the fence. Heart sinks. But it is a hot day and I am feeling too old.
 
@Skib I prefer them parallel to the horse but with the lowest step toward the head so I can position the horse then go up the step without leaving his head. It's personal preference though, and the beauty of a step is that if the horse does move around it's easy to turn that movement around the step and still mount. My experience is that once they realise this they tend not to bother moving.
 
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