EC Answer of the Week: Horse Show Tips for the Vertically Challenged Equestrian

 

We recently posted the above photo when we asked our readers – how do you cope at the shows if you are vertically challenged? Do you carry a step stool everywhere, or use the fence, or teach your horse to bow?

Our wonderful EC readers gave us their best short girl/guy tips and that includes their favorite stools and ladders!  See the answers below, and thank you to Monica Parduhn for being a good sport about her photo during Arizona Sun Circuit!

 

Wendy Malek

My block lives in the bed of my truck.

 

Kris Theiler

At 75 my trainer carries my 3 step folding stool with a nice wide top everywhere we show. My mare is definitely stool broke!🤪

 

Dusty Goetz-Modert

When I was younger my grandpa tied a piece of binder twine around my saddle horn and said there you go get on 😂😂.

 

Ellen Mae

Yup. I have a 3 step folding stool and I take it everywhere. At weekend shows I usually just leave it by the arena and everybody uses it to get on!

 

Sharon Day-Bailey

Ellen Mae me too!!

 

Pamela Sue Stinson

Looking for 4 step, have 17.2 mare. I have a 3 step but had left knee replacement, so best place to purchase one?

 

Christine Meng-Brown

My Percheron is 18.3hh. Where can I buy this?! I need it! 🤪.

 

Harmony Ring Hillhouse

Teach your horse to let you get on from the nearest fence, truck, log, or any other object – lol.

 

Meghan Elizabeth Patterson

My block is my best friend.

 

Kimberly Roark

All of my horses are “fence broke”. It’s a requirement in this vertically challenged persons life who enjoys riding hunt seat horses. I also have a step stool I take to all shows in case there isn’t an appropriate fence nearby. lus I may have freaked out a few people by scampering up the fences before to climb on .

 

Carol Kuchera

I carry my 3 step around and I’m willing to share🙂.

 

Paige Peshina Merrill

Carry our 3 stepper and willing to share. Lol. Might upgrade to 4 stepper!

 

Shelly Mueller

I love my 4 step!! I got mine from Smartpak.

 

Cathy Cooke

In my old age, I have resorted to a 4 step mounting block; it’s especially helpful when wearing chaps.

 

Meredith Cluse

Carry around a stool with my name on it or befriend someone who has one 🤪.

 

Jane Needham

I’m 6ft and had a 17.1 Loved this as I could just walk up and step over. No strain on her back at all.

 

Lisa Steinbaugh Flowers

I’m 5’8 and my horse is 17’3. I’ve used a picnic table, fence, my truck, a ladder. I use a super tall mounting block in the indoor. My horse trailer always has a ladder in it.

 

Niki Marie

Pray that someone else left a step at the pen or walk back and grab mine 😂.

 

Bobbi Finarty

Upside down 5-gallon bucket 😉.

 

Sarah McCormick

I just ask someone around me for a leg up.

 

Nichole Herr

Mine has gotten pretty used to heading right to the rail, picnic table, tailgate, stump 😂 They eventually get used to people coming at them from above.

 

Anthea Arnol

Hmm – our shows here in Australia must be full of short asses as we have one of these in the warm up pen of most shows provided by the clubs.

 

Kathy Darnell Lee

Fences and chairs.

 

Courteney Milleon Vanderhoof

I might need a 4 stepper!

 

Kelly Coffman

Truely a stairway to heaven.

 

Marianne Warland

Considering I unintentionally have two geldings over 17 hh, a 4 step mounting block is a very good idea.

 

Donna Grech

😂I carry my step for anything over 14hh.

 

Julie Coen

Haha it’s higher than all 3 of my ponies!

 

Keryle Devlin

Kane Skopp you need to teach our ponies to bow for us Kane 🤣.

 

Cindy Reese Furgerson

I use a stable folding ladder at shows called Little Giant 3 step (or you can buy taller ones). It has a handle that folds down and the steps are wide. Feels more secure than most.

I was able to start riding again because I found the Little Giant step ladder.  Little Giant® Folding Step Ladder – 4 Steps H-7893 – Uline, ULINE.COM.

 

Liza Geralyn Schneider

Honey, I’m starting to need a mounting block to get on my tractor and lawn mower

 

Jana Craig Whitley

I was able to start riding again because I found the Little Giant step ladder. Here is a link:

ULINE.COM

Little Giant® Folding Step Ladder – 4 Steps H-7893 – Uline

 

Lisa Banks

Omg this would be amazing!!! I gave Subway to Woody tonight – he needs to learn to bow down.