Bow for mounting?

I would think it is your decision. I was going to teach my horse to bow or even lay down when she is older so I can get on bareback easier, although she is a quarter horse, not a clyde.

Have you heard of Stacy Westfall? Is so, Her horse Roxy (roxy died a few months ago though) was trained to bow while Stacy got up on her. She was a quarter horse also, but it still worked.

I would say, it is safe as long as you are not constantly doing it (like 4-5 times a day) but if you did it like 2 times a day, or less, it should be okay.

Ahab, my Percheron, is not hugely tall, but still a problem if bareback. This is what I'm thinking of teaching him. What do you guys think? It looks safer for the horse than bowing. Wouldn't want to try it in a western saddle though...

The Natural Horseman: Neck Up mounting on a draft horse

I've seen him do that before and LOVE it! My perch could totally do it with her huge neck. She has picked me up off the ground before bridling her. If I wasn't so chicken, I'd do it.

I have a large Appaloosa 16+ hands and when I ride bareback on trails I sometimes can not get back on. Instead of the bow I taught him to lie down and let me on then get up. Its much easier on them especially if you can just swing on as they are getting up. My vet recommended this instead of bowing.

I will agree about it being easier for them to get up from laying instead of bowing. Their strength is in their rear end. The majority of their weight is in the front end. So with bowing, they not only would have to lift their weight but yours too. With laying, they can lift their weight first so they are basically sitting then lift your weight with their rear end.
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