Mounting block

Anna's horses are big. Kaibab, Gretsky, Domino, and I think Ikarus are all around 17hh. They're big horses. Apparently, this causes a lot of problems for Anna's other students, at least in mounting. Saturday morning as I contorted my body to be able to get my toe in the stirrup, Anna (from the other side of Kaibab, holding the other stirrup leather so the saddle wouldn't slip), said, "I should video tape you mounting to show to my other students."

Toe finally just resting in the stirrup, I hopped a couple of times before lunging forward and up.

"To show it's possible," continues Anna.

Pulling with my arms, I manage to get up, and swing my right leg over the saddle. I'm on.

"With minimal effort," concludes Anna.

I look down at her like she's crazy. "I wouldn't call that minimal."

"There was no grunting or groaning... That was minimal."

So yay, I can mount a 17hh horse from the ground, with minimal effort, and none of Anna's other students believe it's possible.

I wondered why there were so many mounting blocks around.