#barrel mounting

I advise you practice on a barrel so you don't have the stress of something moving and hurting you. and it's a lot easier!! -Kaitlyn

·         Put the reins over your  "horse’s" neck.

·         Take the reins in your left hand.

·         Place the mounting block so that the left stirrup is dangling above and on the right half of it.

·         While still keeping the reins in your hand, grab a hunk of mane just above the withers; rest your left hand there.

·         Face the horse’s tail.

·         With your right hand, turn the left stirrup clock-wise so that it faces you.

·         Place the ball of your left foot on the stirrup an place just enough weight on the stirrup to keep your foot from sliding off, but no more.

·         Hop around on your right foot so that you are facing the saddle.

·         Reach your right hand across the saddle and grab the stirrup leather if it is an English saddle or the skirt if it is a western saddle and press down to equalize the weight on the left and right side of the saddle.

·         Stand on the left stirrup while still keeping weight on the right side by pushing down with your right hand.

·         Take a big hop to spring your right leg up over the cantle to the right side of your horse.

·         Quietly lower your body on the seat of the saddle and slide your right foot into the right stirrup.

·         Do not look across the arena or area or your horse will think you want to walk forward.