Tis very interesting Shockblue and I know it was difficult to explain exactly what you were doing as you were filming at the same time, but have to say (and this really, really isnt a criticism!:wink
would have been more swayed by the method you are using to solve the mounting issues, if Maya wasnt grazing and you were actually tacked up and got on her to follow through with the training method?
JJ used to very difficult to mount from the mounting block (or anywhere for that matter!) but if I had let him graze he would happily pull over and line up if I allowed him to graze at the same time!:unsure:
If it works for you and Maya that is great - have no issue with that. But they are all different I guess - and training JJ like that just would NOT have worked. Im sure he would have complied if I allowed him to put his head down and gnosh everytime - but wouldn't have followed through if I then withdrew his opportunity to graze.
For me the only way that worked was 'trapping' him between the mounting block and a very solid stone wall, and gradually, day by day, moving the block farther and farther away from the wall. Until he learnt that he is to stand stock still alongside the mounting block, tacked up, no treats or bribes until I got on board. And then, and only then was he allowed to move a muslce, i.e when I told him he could.
But as I have already said, they are all so very different, and we have to adapt our training to the horse we have in front of us, and what works for them and us.:smile: