Getting On A Horse

[The Cowboy]

When I watch a weatern movie the horse is always mounted from the left hand side, why is this?

[carmalee]

it's just tradition - there is no reason at all not to mount from the right hand side however horsemen/woman tend to do most things from the left

[ladybirder]

Isn't it something to do with being right or left handed? Or right or left legged:-)

[grasscarp]

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.

[The Cowboy]

Sorry about the typo but I have bad cataracts.

[grasscarp]

i didnt even notice a typo till you wrote that Cowboy.

[4candles]

I like westerns, but I'd not noticed this.

I find it surprising though. I've never ridden a horse, but I've always mounted a bicycle from the right - it would seem awkward to me to do so from the left.

I'm right-handed btw.

[Euphemia]

It is normal to mount from the left side but you should also be able to mount from the right side in case of injury to the right leg or ankle.

[Eve]

I'd never really thought about it and use both - just whichever side I happen to be. I don't have a sword though :)

[hc4361]

I think I'm right. Mounting a horse from the left means you put your right foot in the stirrup and use your right side to hoik up.
Most people are stronger on the right.

[hc4361]

Don't forget when you mount a bike you face forwards, but when you mount a horse you face it's rear end.

[237SJ]

I`m right handed so I mount a horse from the left, with the left leg so that I can spring from my right leg and throw the right leg over. It just seems to come naturally that way and if you`re left handed, you would probably do it from the other side.

[Euphemia]

I'm left-handed and do it from the left

[tamborine]

coz your right leg usually has more strength to bounce you onto saddle.

[lankeela]

LOL If you mount a horse from the left side but put your right foot in the stirrup you will end up facing the horses bum!

[Euphemia]

It has happened ....... !

[wildwood]

The buckles on the gear are also on the left hand side.

Not sure if I remember this right but the American Indians used to mount their ponies at the right hand side (on the films anyway lol), they didn't have a saddle etc though.

[hc4361]

No you don't, Lankeela. Stand on the horse's left side, facing the horse's rear, put your right foot in the stirrup and up and over. You end up facing the right way.

[JonnyBoy12]

Sorry to hear that you have cataracts, cowboy. The Spelling Police will overlook this typo on medical grounds.

The (very sympathetic) Spelling Police

[DTCwordfan]

does the same apply to mounting a sheep, hc?

Couldn't resist that......

[ELVIS68]

Sorry hc, you will end up sitting facing the rear