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Discussion on Rider Mounting Block/Station Construction Ideas
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 8, 2007 - 4:03 pm:
I could not find a better place to post this question/discussion
I want to build a permanent mounting station for myself and other riders at my property as:
1) I need this for myself...no extra points for suffering!
2) I am of the belief that it is by far better for the horses back if ground mounting is kept to a minimum.
I want to know if anyone has experience or ideas in either:
a) the construction of such a structure or
b)experience at Barns/Stables as to what works and what doesn't.
I have some notions of my own but this is such an important aid, from my point of view, that I would most appreciate any ideas anyone can give.
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Member:
liliana
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 8, 2007 - 4:46 pm:
Hi Ilona,
I agree with you totally it is easier to mount and dismount and it is less tear and wear for horse and saddle.
Back in England my mounting block was made out of block and cement,(I think metric so I'll have a guess here) I think the standing platform most have been about 2sq ft and it had about 3 steps more or less about 2 1/2 to three ft high.
Here at the yard is made out of wood which in a way is a bit more practical because although it is a bit heavy, it can be moved if needed!
Best thing would be to figure out a comfortable height for you and others to mount and take it from there.
I hope it helps a bit in making a decision
Liliana
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 8, 2007 - 4:46 pm:
My friend has a mounting ramp which is wonderful! ABOUT 6 ft long and 4ft or so high where you mount, just high enough so that it is easy to get into saddle without DrOpping on. Wheelchair width as it is used by handicapped riders. Has rails all around except where one mounts the horse.She has it in her arena at far end so it can be placed just close enough to fence so horse can't swing out and away.Bit more than you may want but I love the thing and will bulid one this spring for here. Cindy
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2007 - 6:58 am:
We have two homemade mounting blocks at our barn. One is a two step block for regular mounting, and the other is taller, and permanently fixed with rebar (sp?) for bareback mounting. Will you be doing much bareback riding? I'll try to take a photo of them and post it here.
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2007 - 9:52 am:
Dove,
I would be most appreciative of a photo...I am so visual it would help a lot.
Cindy,
That mounting ramp sounds very interesting...is it permanent or on wheels. Is there any possibility of a picture?
Liliana,
Thanx for the dimensions...all these details really help.
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Member:
wgillmor
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2007 - 11:13 am:
Ilona,
If you live near a therapeutic riding center that assists the disabled, you might go and see what they have. It may be overkill, but it will be the easiest way on the horse.
Wiley
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2007 - 11:14 am:
Am going by Sat will take exact measurements and if we can pics. It is permanant in that it weighs alot! It does not bother arena use and horses have even used it for wind block! Cindy
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 - 10:07 am:
Thanx,
I look forward to the photo's and then the construction.
There is nothing in my area as per your suggestion Wiley.
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 - 11:15 am:
Ilona, here are the photos I promised.
Bareback mounting:
https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/NaturalWay/DSCN0016-1.jpg
https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/NaturalWay/DSCN0017.jpg
Regular mounting:
https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/NaturalWay/DSCN0018.jpg
https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/NaturalWay/DSCN0019.jpg
Sorry, I couldn't get the photos to upload. You'll have to copy each one and paste it in your URL window.
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 - 2:12 pm:
Thanx so much Dove,
I know that it takes time and effort to take pictures, download them, post them and put up a message, so please know how much I appreciate your follow-through.
I would never have guessed the bare-back mounting station to look like that! I love it!
I'm looking forward to Cindy's pictures as well..most of all I'm looking forward to easy mounting!
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 - 9:24 pm:
You're welcome, Ilona. My pleasure. I down-sized the pictures to get them small enough for this site. If you would like, email me and I will send you larger photos (the original size) so you can see in more detail how they were built.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 - 9:04 am:
Hello Dove2,
for information on how to upload photos see, Help & Information ยป Uploading Images and Files Into a Posting. You make a common mistake of confusing the file size, which we do limit, and the size of the image which we do not limit (though there are recommended guidelines). They are not the same thing.
DrO
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 - 3:53 pm:
Dr. O,
Thank you for clearing up the file size misunderstanding. I read the Help information you reference, and did, in fact, get the pop-up window that asked for the file location. I tried both the URL link and IMG Code from PhotoBucket (where I have these pictures stored) and neither got recognized or accepted by my post. It just printed the link or code, and did not display the appropriate picture. I'm sure I am still doing something wrong, and am not quite sure what it is.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 - 4:32 pm:
Ilona, here are specs on the ramp.Platform is 5ft long and 3ft wide & hand rails on 2 sides. Height of platform off ground is 32 inches. Which puts one at stirrup level on most horses.The ramp leading up to the platform is 15 ft. long. But my husband said that it could be shortened by quite a bit or stairs used instead. Lumber for the structure is a mixture of 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 ! My knees are so bad anymore that sometimes I thump into the saddle pretty hard and I'm no lite weight so this thing could keep me riding for a couple more years and my poor girl much happier !!My pics will have to wait as the picture taker ( my grandaughter) did not show.If this sounds really interesting I'll drag her there for pictures! Cindy
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 - 5:44 pm:
Cindy.
Thank you, thank you. The specs are most helpful. Pictures would be wonderful as the lumber/ construction aspect is somewhat crucial as I would hate to not build it in sturdy enough design and create the ultimate nightmare...collapse while mounting...can't you just see it...rider mid-air with horse search for ANY herd in the next zip-code!
I am so very appreciative.
Ilona
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 - 6:28 pm:
In order to upload a file it has to be on your computer first Dove2.
DrO
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 - 10:25 pm:
Thank you, Dr. O. That was indeed the problem then.
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Member:
ellab
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Posted on Monday, Feb 12, 2007 - 10:47 am:
I know this post is about permanent mounting blocks but I thought I would add this. The smartest thing I ever did (especially since I got a 17h draft cross) was to leave a folding plastic step stool in my trailer tack room. It is light and easy to get in and out and is easy to tuck out of the way. It is always there so I don't have to worry about putting a mounting block in when I go to shows or trailriding.
EllaB
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Monday, Feb 12, 2007 - 12:03 pm:
This old bag keeps a plastic "trailer steps" so I can move it to where I want to get on. I got it at a local horse auction for $15!I have seen them in equine supply catalogues as well. When Tuffy decides she has had enough fun, I let her steer herself over to the steps, as if to tell me "all done", now get off. Of course then I have to tell her that's MY line, and we will take another turn around the property just to enforce that rule!
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Member:
cpacer
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 8:42 am:
I was at a barn this weekend that had a mounting block in the arena that also doubled as a fun obstacle for the horse. Obviously it would need to be super strong, but it was just big enough to get a horse to balance all fours on it.
If I were to have one, I would make it multi-purpose like that. My horse and I had a lot of fun with something so simple!
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 10:08 am:
CP,
Thanx.
Was this something similar to what is seen at a Pirelli clinic where the horse horse does a step-up? If so, do you have any idea as to the dimensions and construction. Would you be willing to give me the name of the barn so I could call them for details.
There are so many great idea here that I just KNOW I will be building more than one station.
Probably one in the arena and one outside the arena. This is truly turning into an enjoyable project.
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Member:
cpacer
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 10:52 am:
It might have been since the owner does practice Parelli stuff. This was actually at a friend's place, but I can send her an email to see what she can tell me about it. My guess is that it was about 2 1/2 to 3 feet square, maybe 12 to 18 inches high, and had a rubber liner on top of it. My horse got a real kick out of standing on top of it and being higher than everyone else.
Her place was quite a playground--cones, balls, tarps, barrels, hoola-hoops, logs, etc. I think it was about the first time I've ever been motivated to stay in an arena for longer than 1/2 an hour!
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 12:28 pm:
Thanx CP,
I look forward to the info. Arena playgrounds are fun. I too try to put stuff in my arena so that the horses and I don't get bored.
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Member:
liliana
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 4:52 pm:
Hi Ilona,
As I am starting a riding for the disable centre hopefully soon I was searching for a riding platform and found a great one.
I am trying to upload it, but if I can't perhaps you would like to write to me on my e-mail address and I will send it to you.
No I couldnt,and Im not that savy as to make it smaller
Regards
Liliana
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 5:37 pm:
Liliana,
Thanx, I'm e-mailing you right now.
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