The Correct Way to Mount Your Horse Aah sheesh, what else? Just grab the saddle and get one leg on each side and your butt in the middle. That's the purpose of the exercise. How hard can it be? But as you may have figured out already, nothing with horses is as easy as it seems and every action will have a reaction. So here is how to do it right, just in case something happens or your horse develops a bad habit. Stand next to your horse's shoulder. Take both reins in your left hand. Make sure the inside rein is a little shorter than the outside one. If your horse starts moving you have your left hand availabe to stop the forward motion. And seeins you have the inside rein shorter, he will simply circle around you, as you direct him to stop. Leaving your hand on the reins, use your right hand to put your foot in the stirrup. Then put the right hand on the saddle horn. Take a little hop closer to your horse. Use your right arm to pull yourself up. It'll be easier if you brace your left knee in his side a little. Don't even think about putting a leg over till you are well in balance on his side. As you can see, Paint decided to walk off a little. Now Hannah is using her left (free!!) hand to tell him to stop. And because the inside rein is tighter, Paint just walks around her in a little circle. And because she is balanced on his side, she can wait till he gets under control before she throws her leg over. Time to throw your leg over. Keep your leg bent and close to your side. Don't aim for your foot to go over, but intend your knee to get to it's place on the other side first. When you put your butt in the saddle, sit down in the saddle softly. No plunking your butt down. Sit down, nice and easy. Keeping your leg close to your side will keep you in better balance. Being close to your axis of balance helps keep everything under control in case your horse tries to move right at this point.