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| one step at a time |
It hasn't really been a major issue yet - all of our lesson barns have mounting blocks. That time we went trail riding at Sweet Air, I was able to use a park bench. Many show venues have blocks too.
But - not all. Fair Hill didn't, and Jenny Camp won't. Former barnmate Rachael has a big old 3-step block that we used at Fair Hill (very convenient as we were parked next to each other anyway) but I prefer to have my own alternative handy for times when I'm alone.
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| the view from above. those cats definitely aren't plotting, right? |
Enter: eBay, the internet market place definitely not known for shady sellers. This particular step ladder was in fact advertised as "likely to make a very nice plant stand!" But the seller called it 'sturdy' and, in answer to a question I asked, claimed that it could take the weight of a 200lb adult standing on it.
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| the rustic barnwood look is trendy, right? right?!? oh god i'm gonna die.... |
And now it's here. And... Well. Let's just say some of my friends have some reservations about it. I'm stubbornly carrying forward with the plan tho.
But I'm curious: What do you think of this mounting block, would you use it?
My phone won't load the poll so I can't see the options, but I think I would train Charlie to sidle up next to my truck bed and mount from that 😋 haha
ReplyDeleteLol the poll didn't work and I'm marginally devastated :( It included such insightful answer options as "pony club approved" "safety third" "that's not a mounting block that's a murder machine!" "can I have Charlie when you're dead" and "why not just lay down in a field and let me run you over with my truck?"
DeleteMy jokes are ruined. RUINED. #damntechnology
I watched a horse put a leg through a step ladder once. Once was enough. I'm all in favor of cheap solutions, but maybe one without holes?
ReplyDeleteI had a horse put a leg through a step ladder. I was half on the horse and it was in a parking lot. I managed to get the horse stopped but now I have a phobia of using anything with a hoof sized hole in it. I either bring my own mounting block or get on using the fender of my trailer.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely use it! As a plant stand. It would look so nice in my sun room. :)
ReplyDeleteapparently there's a huge market for exactly this type of garden stand - who knew?!?
DeleteI would totally use that, but I also have a screwed up knee from previous questionable mounting block decisions. Ha ha!!!
ReplyDeleteha sometimes we gotta get it done!
DeleteOh, you're hilarious. Love it! I'd be concerned about the safety issues, but won't comment too hard on that. I've definitely used some questionable ways of crawling on to Bridget and she's like...14.1? This would be a great blog hop..."sketchiest way you've ever mounted", or something like that :)
ReplyDeleteomg.... yea i mean, some of the shit i had to do to climb onto izzy during our various years together, and she was only 14.3 too!!
DeleteOh dear god, please don't break your leg again.
ReplyDeletelol would it help if i wore the shipping boots again??
DeleteYou already broke your leg once... I had a horse at summer camp step his leg through a open mounting block. Spooked, took off, kid had to go to the hospital. Not worth it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.horze.com/grooming-boxes-and-sets/horze-grooming-box%2Fstool%2Fmounting-block/26256.html?gclid=CN-4u8-s_9MCFQ6bfgodS4IFOg
DeleteI saw something similar at Dover
lol i definitely do *not* need to be reminded about my broken leg. also that linked block is smaller than the 2-step i already have (which itself is too short for the job)
DeleteWe bought a trunk from Home depot that holds our grooming stuff and acts as mounting block. I have also mounted from the wheel hub of the trailer, though that takes some training of the horse.
DeleteThinking mounting blocks should be wider than they are high to be stable. Voting squarely in the "plant stand" only box...
ReplyDeletelol it's funny bc i feel the opposite about my own self - the wider i am relative to my height, the *less* stable i feel! go figure haha....
DeleteI would totally use it, but maybe fix it to a more secure base? I had one similar as a kid that would collapse if you didn't put weight on it evenly.
ReplyDeleteThen mother in me is screaming "don't you dare!" Honestly though spend the money on a real one. It will cost less in the end than paying out for another broken leg or worse. If you do use it, I know you'll play it as smart as possible and have someone there when you use it the first few times.
ReplyDeleteI see the legs sinking into the ground. Can you like...screw some boards on the bottom to make the base wider and more stable?
ReplyDeletei mean, i probably could. we'll see tho - i'm not sure it's worth the fuss honestly
DeleteI would! But my horse is bombproof lol. If you're worries about a horse stepping through why not cut a couple pieces of plywood to size and nail/screw/attach them inside so horse can't get his leg all the way through? Just a thought
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm looking at my future. lol My baby is going to be... somewhere upwards of 16hh? Possibly 17hh.
ReplyDeleteI would... I would probably use that as a base to make something sturdier/less petrifyingly like a recipe for disaster? With some wood from Home Depot or something. I'm personally planning to bribe my husband with beer so he'll build me something, assuming my BO's husband doesn't build her something for my guy's half-sister first. lol
I was on board until somebody said "horse put legs through block" and that sounds like a very real problem that would actually happen.
ReplyDeleteSafety third, but not 18th.
what.
ReplyDeletei mean, tbh... you broke yourself getting out of your trailer. so maybe.. not?
Just get a 3 step one from TSC for $70. I don't think the risk is worth it. The most dangerous part of riding is mounting and dismounting no need to make more dangerous. Now is use just about anything in a pinch but as my regular option I go for safer.
ReplyDeleteI would....not use that. Too many places to get a human or equine leg tangled up. There are three step plastic mounting blocks you can get. Idk I'm super clumsy so this just screams "don't do it you'll maim yourself trying to get on the horse!"
ReplyDeleteOMG! I've definitely used some sketchy things to climb aboard when there's not a mounting block in sight, so I really can't judge. But don't, ya know, break your leg again!
ReplyDeleteOh my... maybe a few practice runs with someone around to spot you would be beneficial?
ReplyDeleteYou'll be fine! I'm more worried about the cats killing you on this than Charlie. :P
ReplyDeleteBe careful! :D lol
ReplyDeleteUsually when doom comes knocking at the door I don't invite it in for tea. I see we don't follow the same policy. Lol
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one who thought "You already broke your leg just stepping out of the trailer?!" I use the fender on my trailer as a mounting block. I hop up, use the tie ring to hoist myself up and then simply step onto the horse. Good luck, yikes!
ReplyDelete