Get her to stand still when mounting

[Sonia]

Hi All
I tried to get on Ellie today and just couldn't get her to stand still. I tried the usual - facing her into a corner, ensuring near-side rein shorter so she moved round me - but still she moved off so that my foot came out of the stirrup iron. Unfortunately no-one was around to hold her, so we called it a day (not good I know but no other alternative).

Has anyone any advice as to how I can cure her of this nasty habit? I'm sure she wasn't being naughty just that she's young and doesn't know any better. She will stand while being groomed - when told to at lunge etc

Thanks
Sonia

[Wally]

Give her a sprinkle of food in a bucket. Reduce the amount gradually. This has worked for us.

[Frances]

I had this problem with my horse. He would not stand still and walked round and round me. It drove me mad. Or, the other trick was to wisk round just as I got on and gallop home as fast as he could before I could gather up my thoughts, seat and reins.

Anyway, the cure.... I spent one afternoon with him just practising getting on him. I would stand squarely by his neck, keep the reins short, order him to "stand still" in a stern and authorative tone, keep the outside rein shorter, and put my foot in the stirrup. If he moved, I went back to the beginning and started again until he stood while I put my feet in the stirrup. If that part went ok, I would say "good boy", and start lifting myself into the saddle. If at any time I felt he was about to move, I would stop and go back to the beginning letting him know that I was not that pleased. If he behaved and I felt that I could now get up into the saddle, I would slowly lift myself into the saddle and put my other foot in its stirrup, slowly and deliberately. He had got the plot by now and was waiting. Then I would gather up the reins and turn him slowly and let him go forwards. If at any stage of that I felt he was going to ignore me and dash off. I would haul him back to the starting position, jump off and start right at the beginning again until he was concentrating on what I wanted and doing as he was told.

This whole process took about an hour, we never actually went anywhere, but I installed into him the fact that he will stand still until I give him the message to move.

I hope that helps. Sorry it was so longwinded. You just have to do it in stages, and keep going back to the beginning until he has got it right. Reward him, with a big show of congratulations and appreciation when it does go well and then do it again and again until he has got the message LOUD AND CLEAR.

Good luck!

[LC]

I've never tried Wally's idea, but I've sure done Frances' routine a lot. I had a six hour session with my big, bad boy until he stood like a statue! It requires a tremendous amount of patience and anger management. I remain calm, not scolding, just praising when he stood still! This is often a problem with young horses and can develop easily because of our limited time...we mount, we work out, we dismount. They just get antsy. But it can escalate into a bigger problem if not nipped in the bud. Try just planning some mounting lesson time without any work attached...

[Northern Dancer]

I have that that problem with a small hors I used to ride, and the horse I am riding now!

What I did was I got on, and when he money I got off again, and then got on again and the off, and the on again. Then I trotted around and got off the got on. Soon he didn't budge an inch (he was so bored with it), and I practiced that 2x per week, and he's cured!

[Sarah]

hello!

When i first got Tangers she wouldn't stand still either, then when i finall got on, she would take off across the arena with me only half on bucking and galloping. The first couple of times I rode her i got some super cuts and scrapes!

i then spent 30 mins each day for a week on mounting, i would put my foot in the stirup and wait till she stood stil, then praise her like mad, then put my weight in the one stirrup and then praise her when she was still then slowly get over her and again praise when she was sensible until i could then sit down. I still make her stand for about 4 seconds after i get on her just so that she doesn't move off. When she started moving, I tried to stay with her and not take my foot out the stirrup, I could do that as Tango is quite a shorty, so that her moving didn't get the 'reward' of me moving away. Obviously if she is going to move a lot, then you will be in danger doing that, so use your common sense.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

bye!

[Sonia]

Hi Sarah
I've just read your reply and I think I have another Tango ! (as per the message I've just posted).
I'm more thqan a bit fragile in body and confidence this morning, but I'm not giving up just yet !
Sonia