When mounting a horse, which side is it traditionally done from?

Mounting a horse from the left side is a long-standing tradition in horseback riding, primarily due to historical reasons linked to the use of saddles and the rider's safety. Most riders are trained to mount from the left to maintain consistency when approaching the horse, which helps the horse learn to expect the rider’s weight on that side. Additionally, traditionally, horses were often trained to respond better to being approached from the left, which became the standard for both riding and handling.

Moreover, there are practical considerations: mounting from the left allows the rider to hold the reins with their left hand, which helps in managing the horse's behavior as they mount. This practice stems from the time when riders carried swords on their left side, making it more feasible to mount from the left without entangling oneself with the sword.

Riding cultures around the world have adopted this convention, making it common practice to mount from the left. This consistency helps in maintaining a horse's training and behavior, as well as ensuring the safety of both the horse and the rider.