[alexischristina]

OK, so it's a pretty basic part of riding, get on, get off, you can't ride if you can't mount!
I have a problem though.

My current pony is just that a PONY. I can mount my 16.1 hh monster from the ground, so I should be able to mount her from the ground- and I can... but it always ends a mess. I don't know if it's her shape, but when mounting the saddle tends to slip no matter how tight it is and it's VERY ANNOYIG :evil:

Does anyone else have this problem?

I know the saddle fits, I've fitted it, her actual owner has fitted it, and a trainer friend of my mom's has looked at it, but even when I used to ride at a lesson barn some of the ponies just ALWAYS had this problem.
How do you solve it!? Honestly, I don't want to be on show grounds and have to use a mounting block on a 14 hh pony so that her saddle doesn't slip, that'd look kinda... silly. And in some of the classes you're asked to dismount and remount in the ring, so the option of someone holding the opposite stirrup isn't there...

 

[Kashmere]

Would it maybe help if you try to put some weight of yourself on top of the saddle by leaning over it?

 

[darkwillow]

I've seen this happen before, but usually only with very fat horses whose withers have almost disappeared!! I'm not sure what you could do, but you could try a sheepskin girth cover? It might grip the hair a little better and stop the saddle from sliding so much. Other than that... = S

 

[alexischristina]

Kashmere: I do! I try anyway... Blah. I need to try harder, I've never had this problem with my boy.

Darkwillow: And that's the funny thing, she's not fat AT ALL! Aha, but yeah, I'll try that... and practise better weight distribution and what not.

 

[aslifegoesby]

my horse holds all his air in(have gotten girth as tight as i can) until I put my foot in the stirrup and the saddle slips as soon as I try to mount... It's his nasty little trick.. I just try to mounting quickly... but the girth is too loose then... make sure your girth has elastic. that should help some.

 

[aneternalflame]

The pony may just have flat withers. Doesn't mean the pony is fat, just that there aren't enough withers to hold the saddle in place while getting on. I honestly don't see what the problem with using a mounting block is, especially because having a saddle dragged across the back when trying to get on is -not- a good thing. As for the classes, not sure. Maybe just don't do those ones?

 

[rocky pony]

My old pony was the same way..about the same size, too..and I'm 5'6"..I just said oh well and used a mounting block.
It's better for their backs anyway. If anyone asks, you can tell them that? =P

Other option would be to get on and sort of hop in the other stirrup to shuffle it back in place. I've had to do that one a few times..but your horse may or may not accept that, haha

 

[aspin231]

You could get a non-slip pad to go under your regular pad. They aren't that hard to come by used...

 

[Kayty]

I would definitely be using a mounting block to get on at home every ride. if the saddle slips over when you get on, that can cause huge back problems in the long term, and even the short term. Imagine your back being dragged sideways with someone trying to clamber on!
Even if i can get on from the ground, I ALWAYS use a mounting block. So much better for the horse's back. And even then, I like to have someone hold my opposite stirrup when I get on as a preventative measure. My new horse is very broad with little wither, and so I get the saddle slipping problem as well. So mounting block it is for me and try to get on very quickly and throw my weight over the saddle. Once I'm on I'll tighten the girth again.