Now that you are ready to sit astride your three year old, ask yourself what is the best approach to do so.
There are risks in mounting and dismounting a horse of any age and it is something we need to give more attention and develop habits of good technique.
Consider the moments you are in between the ground and the saddle and you will realize that proper attention should be given to this part of your ride. Not to place any worry, but care and awareness to the process, especially for a green horse.
A very well known instructor was giving me a lesson for the first time and he really impressed me by beginning the lesson by asking to check my helmet, check the girth and equipment.
To mount your horse, a good practice is to turn the horses head toward you by shortening the left rein and therefore having full attention to the one side and also having the horse angled toward the rider for more control. If a fence corner is available, I also like to use it to mount if no one is available to stand by the horses head.
Place your foot in the stirrup and smoothly step up and swing your right leg over the back and sit quietly in the saddle and relax the rein.
I then like to stroke the horses neck and talk softly to the horse and maintain the halt. Your horse should remain at the halt and not walk or move away. I insist on good manners while mounting and the horse should stand until asked by the rider to move.
Equally the horse should stand for the dismount in a mannerly and respectful way. This builds a safe and happy working relationship with your horse. And to establish these intentions at the beginning and end of a ride will carry through to every aspect of working with your horse.
Jackie Brittain
Merriewold Trainer
At Merriewold Morgans we considered ourselves very fortunate to have known this lovely mare. She was not only a talented, beautiful and gentle individual but also a wonderful mother who gave us so many extraordinary foals.
And so, she continued to work and went on to win her debut in the 2-year-old pleasure driving division culminating in winning the 1989 World Champion 2-year-old Pleasure Driving Futurity Championship.  
I, too, am sorry to hear of  “Lady’s” passing. As you know, she made a significant contribution to the UVM program, producing five quality foals, from 1994-1998.  
Probably her most versatile UVM product is UVM Glimmer, purchased by the Molin family in Delaware. The UVM Dexter daughter continues a remarkable sport career as a youth/adult mount on a local to national level. UVM Farrah, full sibling to your Merriewold Bella was perhaps the most ‘glamorous’ product for UVM.
In the end, however, my esteem for Majesty My Fair Lady is told by the lessons her offspring have taught those in the UVM sphere.
                         Steve Davis (for all at UVM MHF)
Majesty My Fair Lady , 1987-2012
Majesty My Fair Lady , 1987-2012
The property development was planned from underground to the tops of the roofs with environmentally sustainable horse and ranch management in mind. This exciting and innovative concept was the focus of the day’s event.
Their short wait was rewarded with an introduction to the architect (Tom Brajkovich), Project Manager (Paul Trent), sub-contractors and designers of the project by the General Contractor, Frank Cullen.
Then Tom Brajkovich followed with a quick overview of his journey with Don & Diana, owners of Merriewold Morgans, beginning 3 years ago when they first came to him with their vision of building a 
Frank then spoke briefly about some of the engineering that went into the re-use of water, environmentally safe materials, and other sustainable technologies and management practices.
Then he directed the crowd to the first building on the tour and everyone enjoyed a leisurely stroll with wine glasses in hand toward the next gathering.
Grab your cameras! Flip through your photos! Join in the fun and win great prizes! Merriewold Morgans is having our 3rd Annual photo contest celebrating the Magnificent Morgan Horse. Entry is FREE and will be judged by Internationally renowned equestrian photographer, Bob Langrish.
Bob Langrish MBE has established a firm reputation as one of the foremost International equestrian photographers in the world.