British Horse Society * Ride UK * Horse Stile

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Route Identification | Surfacing Standards | Furnture Standards

Mounting Blocks

A rider usually has best control of a horse while mounted, but there are some circumstances in which it is desirable to provide mounting facilities. The specification given below provides a good working mounting block. Other mounting block designs are possible.

Figure 1 - Side View

This diagram illustrates a mounting block with steps only on one side of the top platform.
In this case, the block is designed to have the horse on the near side of the block, between the block and the viewer. The manoeuvering space also needs to be this side of the block.
If space and resources permit, further steps should be added to make the block symmetrical.

Dimensions are given in mm.

Specific Requirements for Mounting Blocks

The step height should be 240mm to 260mm.
The total height should be no higher than 780mm.
The step width should be at least 600mm.
The step length should be at least 450mm. The top platform should have length at least 750mm.
There should be a clear manoeuvring space 4000mm high and at least 1800mm wide on at least one side of the mounting block and contiguous with it. This "manoeuvering space" is to allow the horse to stand while being mounted, and to allow entry and exit from this standing space. It needs to extend at least 1500mm before and beyond the mounting block as shown in Figure 2. It is desirable that there shall be such a manoeuvering space on both sides of the block.
If steps are only provided on one side of the block, they should be such that there is manoeuvering space on the right hand side of the rider as he walks up the steps. [This ensures that he can mount on the near side (left hand side) of the horse.]
Safety point: we strongly recommend that steps are provided on both sides of the central platform (as shown in Figure 2). If a horse continues to walk forward, the rider can then go down the steps rather than have to jump off a high platform.
The material forming the mounting block should be such that striking them with horses hooves or rider's footwear should not make a sudden ring or noise likely to startle a horse.
The material forming the steps and platform should be of a non-slip nature.

Figure 2 - Plan View

This diagram provides the view from above the mounting block, showing the manoeuverng space and steps on both sides of the block. Here, the manoeuvering space is between the block and a fence, which can make it easier for some riders to mount.

The total length of the manoeuvering space (coloured area) is 3000mm more than the length of the structure.

As there are steps on both sides of the central platform, it would not be necessary to have a manoeuvering space on the left side of the steps shown.

Dimensions are given in mm.

General requirements applicable to all structures on paths

When the structure fails to meet any of the general requirements it shall be repaired, or replaced, or removed.
There shall be no barbed wire, or electric fencing capable of giving a shock within 1m of the structure or of the manoeuvring space.
Any finger or direction post carrying a protruding direction sign shall not form part of the structure, but shall be mounted separately so that the direction arm cannot overhang the structure or intrude into the manoeuvring space.
The ground within 1m of the structure shall be free of surface water (except within a couple of hours of rain), with less than 10mm of mud and a firm surface consolidated so that the surface level does not erode.
Where the structure abuts a vehicular road the structure should be set back sufficiently to allow riders and horses to access the mounting block without risk of being struck by vehicles.
On the structure there should be no projections such as bolts likely to catch on clothing of path users or to injure animals. On the main structure there should be no splinters on wood, slivers on metal, or similar defects in other materials, that are liable to pierce the skin. All edges and corners on the main structure except those on the lower horizontal edges of horizontal parts should be rounded to a radius no sharper than 3mm or chamfered with at least a 3mm flat. Where this is not practicable, there should at least be no sharp edges.
The structure should be built and maintained with adequate strength and rigidity and quality of material and design to ensure the safe and convenient passage of users.