Horse Racing

[charliesteve]

Hi Everyone
My mate says that jockeys mount from the left, I have not noticed that, is it true and if so why?
Thanks
Steve

[Prudie]

Traditionally all horses are mounted from the left, not just in racing, I don't why but that is how you are taught to ride and how horses are taught to expect to be mounted.

[ELVIS68]

Never really noticed that before but now you mention it they do always mount from the left

[RATTER15]

Its probably because people are mostly right footed, so easier to cock the right leg over.

[marje]

I think it's to do with when men wore swords, usually on left side, so easier to mount horse from left. It keeps the sword out of the way whilst mounting.

[chrissa1]

You put your left foot in the stirrup first though, Ratter. Ever tried "cocking" your leg over a 16.3hh horse? Impossible. Lol.
All horses are mounted on the nearside/left, as opposed to the offside/right..

[ELVIS68]

Or if the jockeys a perv then he'll mount it from behind


I'll get me whip...I mean coat

[Buenchico]

See here:
http://www.successful-horse-training-and-care.com/mounting-a-horse.html

[FredPuli43]

You put your left, weaker, foot in the stirrup and push up with your stronger, right foot, hence you stand on the horse's left. Someone will say that they push up with the leg that is in the stirrup, but when people rode with longer stirrups or used mounting blocks, that wasn't so easy. Can't say as I've noticed horses, whatever their temperament, being more twitchy when approached from one side rather than the other but Chris's link seems to suggest otherwise.

All this is one reason to drive on the left. The world over, people mount horses from the left , which means the horse at the kerbside was already on the left of the road and would move forward 'driving' on the left.

[Brinjal]

I always use a mounting block. But still from the left side.

[pixie373]

It is traditional to mount from the left. For exercise and practical reasons, you should be able to mount from either side.