I went to the farm store today and went by those plastic mounting blocks and I told my hubby that I would like to keep one in our trailer since we go on a lot of trail rides and I like not pulling on my young horses back while mounting. But the cost was $46 for the small block (which was still bulky) so we went on. Yes, I can get off on the trail and get back on her, but I prefer to use a block for her comfort. :)

Then we went to Wal-mart and low and behold I saw a Rubber-Maid foldable plastic two step. I bought it for $24 and came home and used it. It works great and is very sturdy even on sloping, rocky ground.  It folds up real nice and slides right in to the back tack area or in the dressing room. I am so Happy with my find!!!

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1287578&CAWELAID=109356117

Is this it?  It says up to 300 pounds and can be used to sit on too. Very good!!

I have a step-on tool box that I use. I keep first aid supplies inside. I used to use it as a step in and out of my dressing room too.

http://www.amazon.com/Stack-Step-Industrial-Stepstool-Toolbox/dp/B000BYNGLK

This one is rated up to 325 pounds.

I have/had 2 of these in blue. However, one is quite mangled when I forgot to put it back inside the trailer and drove over it. Ugh...  Iodine spilled all over.  Now I have a steel pull out step for the entrance to the trailer. : )  But.. the step stool boxes are awesome.  I can keep small tack parts in there, hole punchers, bottle openers, and still stand on it to tie picket lines or mount a horse.

Gee... when I bought mine in a store, I only paid about $15 for them. Inflation sucks (now $29.99 plus shipping!)

You guys are going to think I'm a kook, but I use a "Knudsen" milk crate that is plastic. I'm 185lbs, and can jump up on a horse and if I don't succeed the first time it doesn't crack! When not used as a step up to  mount the horse, or the bed of the truck, ( I'm only 5'5", and crippled in one leg,) it stores all my odds and ends I'm always losing at camp. ( log lighter, hot pads for skillet, skeeter spray, chap stik, hoof pick, glasses, keys to the truck/trailer,  ECT.) It also makes a tolerable seat for visitors from down the camp line. I like the idea of foldup though....steve

I don't think you're crazy...but I've heard of too many of the milk crates breaking... I think if they are left in the sun - the plastic gets very brittle.

I use a milk crate to hold a water bucket on the ground. Keeps the bucket from knocking over. I used to use it in the pickup bed to hold my tank of propane too. Now I have a bracket on the trailer for the P-tank.  

So Im short and my mother is shorter so when I was 20 and bought my first gooseneck slant it was funny to see my mom try and shut the rear door much less watching her get on my 16.3 boy for her yearly ride. As a small gift her friends got her a mini step ladder with four steps and that dang thing has been in my trailer for now 9 years. Yes it works but dang did it take up alot of room!

Then about two years almost now I broke my pelvis and there are some days it just hurts to get on any of my horses much less my tallest boy so the ladder was then used at home, all that lugging around of a dang ole ladder got old quick.

I wanted to thank PonyTammy for the idea of the rubbermaid step, giving me back some extra room! I went out the day I saw the post and got one! Why didnt I think of this! Anywhos Thanks again cant wait to take it to the next 4-H meeting the kids parents are gonna love it as well. 51 51

Well, I thought I was relying on the stools because I was getting "more mature", but maybe it's just because I'm short (5'3")... My two boys are the same height they were years ago, (both are 16h) and I could just step on, but for some reason the stirrups seem higher up now!   I have the tool box step stool that I have used for years, but I did look at the one in Wal-Mart the other day and thought about getting it...now I think I will.

Glad my post will help out some other short folks too. Sure beats paying 40+ dollars for a mounting block. Seems to me horses are getting taller these days than when I was a kid. :) I use to be able to swing on from the ground, now I think I'd just swing half way off the side and plop on the ground.

 Yeah... you've got the added expense up there in AK...

Around the boarding barn when I boarded, someone had made several very nice mounting blocks using the stair step runners you see in the lumber stores.  They are wolmanized so they are a very good start for those PERMANENT type mounting blocks at home.

I have the rubbermaid folding stepstool, but I just use it to get up into the GN.  It does work great for that.  When using it as a mounting block just be aware that if your horse doesn't stand well for mounting then you need to be careful not to let him put his leg through it.

For mounting I just use the trailer fender... I have running boards though so that makes it easy.  Without running boards the fender is just as hard to get to as the stirrup.