Does this hurt my horse?

Hey ya'll!

When you get on your horse, is it bad for their back? Obviously not when you're careful, but sometimes when I get on bareback I'm using something random, like a fence to get on, and it's not the most stable thing so I don't get on very gracefully! I'm always worried I'm straining my horses back, or sitting down too hard...or if I just get on in general actually, whether I use a mounting block (I usually do) or get a leg up, or get on from the ground.

And how sensitive is a horse's crest/mane? I've heard both ways, that they are "tender headed" and that they are not.

And, when compared, how much does it take for a human to hurt a horse compared to another horse kicking, biting, etc said horse?

I'm always ultra sensitive about whether or not I'm hurting my horse...a lot of times I treat him like a new born I just try to tell myself he's a big strong horse and doing something this simple is not going to hurt him! I just love him so much Plus I assume he would let me know if I hurt him...?

Gah, please clear up my mind! Haha! Any of ya'll worry about these things?

Maybe you could teach your horse to move closer to your chosen mounting object to help you get on easier? That way you can 'gracefully' get on? LOL While horses can handle a lot of pain, they are also VERY sensitive, Im mean, if they can feel the smallest fly land on them and swich their tail to move it one, surely they arent al that tough are they?

Thanks for your reply!

Haha I worry about it all the time lol!
I'm not quite sure about getting on. I think it probably depends on the horse and how harshly you do get on lol!
I don't think it's too tender. Probably could get strained a little, but probably not horrible.
It depends on what you consider hurting. Do you mean smacking him? Or using a crop? Or what are you referring to?
Also, most likely he'll give you some kind of signal, or you'll be able to see it in his eyes if you're hurting him.
Hope this helps!! ;) :)

Im sure if he is not comfortable he/she will start to fidget around when you are getting on maybe?

Not to sound rude...if you are too heavy for your horse and fall hard on their back while mounting then yes you could probably cause soreness over time. If you are careful to not let your whole weight down on the horse too fast you should be good.

The feeling flies landing isnt a good comparison to their strength however. We can feel very light sensations and live through brutal injuries. For a human to seriously hurt a horse would require some pretty good effort. Back soreness if that's what you're worried about would more likely be a saddle issue as long as you are not too big for the horse/pony.
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^^ I agree with both of those comments.

Back soreness a lot of the time doesnt jsut come from ill fitting saddles. You will find alot of "back soreness" comes from Hock lameness. Regarding Feeling flies.... I was merely implying that horses arent as tough as you might like to think they are. They do feel pain and they do tolerate it increadible well. Im not saying anything heavier than a fly is going to damage them. If worried about mounting then always use a mounting block, horses were not designed with riding in mind

Thanks guys! And no, I don't mean smacking and stuff...hmm...how do I explain this? Haha I guess just ignoe that part of the question unless you know how to answer it

Oh, and no worries, I think I'm a little over 10% of my horse's weight so we're good there I guess I should have said assuming everything fits correctly and there is nothing wrong.

I think this may be something I shouldn't be concerned about...what do you think? I'm starting to feel like I'm over thinking something very simple...

Ya, no I don't think that it's going to hurt him at all then unless you like, jump on him or if he has a back problem or something.