Always remember safety first.

• Wear a helmet.
• If your horse is uneasy find someone to hold him while you mount, or better yet, don't mount at all.
• If your horse is tall, use a mounting block.  Not a fence, and not a turned over 5 gallon bucket.  Use something steady.
• Keep a firm handle on the reins.  If your horse bolts you need to regain control.

Note:  The picture below shows the rider grabbing the cantle of the saddle to mount.  THIS IS NOT CORRECT.  Grab either the pommel or the center of the seat.  Grabbing the cantle will cause the saddle to twist when mounting.  Grabbing the saddle closer to the girth will prevent this from happening.