Won't let you mount!

[HanGbbn]

Hi
Me again! Bet your getting sick of all these posts and questions!

Got a problem!

My horse won't stand still to let me get on. She stands at first but then when you pick up the reins she walks on. You can't stop her without heaving on the reins or jabbing her in the mouth.
I don't want to jab on her mouth or yell at her as I feel this will not get us anywhere and ok it might make her let you get on that time but she'll only be even less inclined to let you mount the next time if she thinks your going to pull on her mouth.

Any one agree/disagree?
Am I being too soft?

Can anyone suggest a way to teach her that standing still, to let you mount is a good idea & it won't hurt her?
Don't mind how long it takes! I'd rather do it this way than 'boss her'

Anything you can suggest will be super i'm sure!

Thanks a lot.

[Herbie's mummy]

Every time she moves just lightly pull her back......or walk back to whereyou started :) Herbies used to do it do me but i just shouted a firm ''NO'' then when he stood still and i got on i would give him a BIG fuss.

[barbie666]

maybe try getting someone to hold her while your mounting, and when your on give her a big fuss, and gradually get the person holding her to move away, so shes eventually standing on her own?

[galadriel]

This might be helpful:
http://lorienstable.com/articles/handling/275-voice-stand_for_mounting/

[HanGbbn]

Herbie's mum - Thanks i'll give that a go, good to know other peoples horses do it too!

barbie666 - Thats a good idea too, i will try that too!

Thanks for the link galadrial - its excellent site, got some really good info and tips from it. so thanks!

[Afellpony]

1. I'd get the saddle checked out as it may be causing some discomfort.
2. P'haps get her back looked at by a vet.

[Herbie's mummy]

1. I'd get the saddle checked out as it may be causing some discomfort.
2. P'haps get her back looked at by a vet.


well not unless you have alredy had her vetted, some horses are just rude LOL and still learning.

[jenren!!]

Ok, do you get on from the floor? Or a mounting block? Just curious.

Jenny xx

[Herbie's mummy]

Or a leg up lol?

[samsaria]

I had this problem! I ride on my own and nearly fell off recently when she walked on - so I really had to fix it. The simplicity of the almost-accident gave me a fright :eek: .

Ok, so you hop up and say you haven't got your leg over and she starts walking. Don't continue to get on. Stay as you are (standing on the stirrup) and turn her head inside with the rein. She'll turn turn turn, and then stop.

The second she stops, you stop. Continue to get on. If she starts to walk, turn her head in again, turn turn until she stops. Again release the second she gets it right.

Thats what i was told to try and it worked. Try it!:)

[barbie666]

some horses do just walk off though, all the showjumpers at the stables i go to are a pain to get on to when riding them...


good luck with her thouh, looks like you have a good couple of ideas =)

[Herbie's mummy]

LOL some are just eager to get going hehe!

[HanGbbn]

Her back was checked recently and she had a pulled muscle but her manipulated her back and said it was 'fixed' (sorry to use the word fixed, its not quite right i know!) and it wouldn't bother her anymore.
I've just bought her a new saddle which was fitted by qualified saddler so don't think its that either.

I usually get on at the mounting block and she stands perfectly for that and also for a leg up but sometimes i need to get on fromthe ground and i'd like her to stand still but she won't.
She walks on as you pick up the reins to hold them while you mount.

samsaria - i'll try that trick it sounds good!

Thanks everyone!

[fishiz3434]

My new very green mare does that to me and i growl at her every time, i got my friend to hold her for a while and then started vaulting on from the ground and cos it's not thoughing all weight on one side she didn't mind that and now that i'm getting her better built she's letting me gey on with out anyone latly with a few eceptions but when i put a fence in front of her she had nowhere to go and just stood there, i usually use a mounting block though as it saves their bac a bit.

[Unbridled]

If you've ruled out all possibility of discomfort, then maybe she's just never been taught to stand politely. Or maybe she's had some bad associations with saddle work in the past and still fears it (Sugar had this problem when I first got her).

One thing you might try is circling her in a small, slow circle (small because it's hard work--slow so it won't strain) around the mounting block. Take her around two or three times and then stop her in front of where you mount. If, when you go to mount, she attempts to walk off then put her back into the circle. Most horses dislike small circles and will quickly catch on to the fact that standing still is much easier!

Or--

Do the same exercise but back her up instead of circling. Again, this is much more difficult for a horse than moving forward. Just make sure you always stop her at the block so she will see it as a "resting" place, therefore pleasant.

Good luck. :)

[carrieh]

My pony used to walk off all the time when I was trying to get on. I solved that very simply by always using a mounting block, and when I did, he stood like a lamb. I honestly think it had been hurting him by me trying to mount from the ground [not being of great athletic ability in my old age! :D ], hopping around and generally pulling the saddle over, and it was his way of trying to let me know he wasn't impressed. Now I always mount from something, a mounting block, a gate, a fallen log, whatever is to hand and he stands completely still.

[Tootsie4U]

Appy Luv almost has it.

Present her with the option of standing still or doing harder work. She'll make the choice *herself* that its easier for her if she just stands still. Hard work can be something as simple as a few, hard, fast circles (where her hind end snaps away from you) the second she starts to move away. As long as she stands still, she gets to rest.

Of course, if this is a pain response, you'll only make the problem bigger.

Then, when she has made the choice to stand still, get on, sit there, EXHALE and get off. Show her that she doesnt have to walk off right away. Make sure there isnt anything in your body that is actually asking her to walk off (tenseness, leaning forward, leg on, etc.)

You want to teach her to wait for the cue to walk off - not go at it herself.

[Unbridled]

Hard work can be something as simple as a few, hard, fast circles (where her hind end snaps away from you) the second she starts to move away. As long as she stands still, she gets to rest.

Just out of curiosity...how fast is fast? My western trainer taught me the circle trick but he said never do it above trot because it could be too straining? Then again, my horse is 16, so maybe that's why?

[Tootsie4U]

As long as the hind end steps under and crosses with the other to get that snap I was talking about, it doesnt matter.

For a horse to do this - its an effort and either at a walk or trot (agree with your instructor that it certainly shouldnt be done at anything faster for their safety and yours) the horse will realize that just standing still is an easier option.

When I said fast, I really meant "with energy". It appears fast because the snap should be quick and sharp but the horse doesnt necessarily have to be moving at a fast gait.

[kelsey]

As long as you have ruled out any pain issues, I would suggest giving a small treat right after you mount. I have done this with both of my horses. My green four year old already stands like a rock for both mounting and dismounting - it took about half a dozen times to go from dancing sideways away from the mounting block to standing still with a relatively loose rein.

[HanGbbn]

Again great ideas!!

I'll try the circling trick it might work.
Also i'll definatly do the treat thing as she's very food orientated!!
A bit food-obsessed actually!!

Thanks again!!