Trivia: Why do we mount horses on the left side?

[Grimwood's Horseshoeing]

A bit of Trivia: Does anyone know the reason we mount on the left side and not the left. If no one guesses over the weekend I will give the answer on Monday.

[Maddie Nagel]

Calvary soldiers wore their swords on the left. Easier to mount without having to get the sword over the horse.

[Leslie Perry]

I have read this a dozen times! I'm convinced that this is the correct answer. I'm suprised that so many people actually knew the answer! But I would like to add this....it is a really good idea to teach your horse to accept mounting from BOTH sides. You never know when you are going to be in a situation when you may need to mount from the right(especially if you trail ride). I happen to have a bad knee and HAVE to mount from the right side. I've never had one of my horses have a problem with it, but have heard of others that did. (Something with that whole left brain-right brain thing). I've also read that it has something to do with which side the mane hangs on. It is easier to pull on the mane from the OPPOSITE side it hangs on. Man, I LOVE trivia!!!!! :-)

[Rook]

The calvery wore their swords on the left side,thus makes sense to mount and dismount from left side.I train my horses from both sides,unless you ride with a sword it does not matter which side you mount.

[Ken Scott]

Don't know about your horses, but my horse is taller on the right side. Easier on the left. LOL

[Grimwood's Horseshoeing]

Wow, I didn't expect someone to get the answer so quickly. Great Job!

[dusty414]

There were horses way before we had a cavalry...so in my mind this can't be the true real answer.

[Leslie Perry]

I imagine the indians got on whichever side was more convenient! LOL! You also have to take into consideration etiquette. I don't know if this was actually a "rule" before people started riding horses for reasons other than work and war and transportation.

[Sheryl Danke]

maybe because most people are right handed..which makes it easier for us?...just a thought

[Sheryl Howell]

Maybe this "correct" side to mount only came to be post-cavalry era.

[Jennifer]

I mount mine from whichever side the ground is highest and easiest to get on. We short people have be more flexible to get up on a tall horse. LOL. Plus, who made the rule of which side is the correct side? lol

[ReubenT]

I think from about the beginning of man riding horse the primary use has been war. And up until relatively recent times swords and bow and arrow was the way it was done. And since right handedness is predominate. It makes sense that was how it began.

[Leslie Perry]

Amen, sister! Always a plus to have one who doesn't care how the heck you get on. The quicker, the better!