he just wont stand still

Question
Hello Lyn,
I own a 6-year-old quarter horse gelding who has been trained in rodeo events, all western, and trail. He is the most gentle and calm 6-year-old horse ever. His big problem is standing still for mounting. Every time I walk him out to mount him, he won't stop and continues to walk in circles by using his head to push me out of the way. I have to walk him around a lot and in a lot of circles to get him to stop. Once i finally stop him he will stand there fine, until I put the reins over his head. When i do that, he tries to head-butt me, toss his head, and he'll start to walk again. I eventually get him so stop by keeping the reins over his head and pulling back equally and saying "whoa". then, i can easily mount him and he's fine. I have checked the saddle and pad and they all fit fine. He doesn't have any soreness or tenderness. We have tried mounting him inside the arena, outside the arena, and in front of a fence. I would love to know what you think!
Thanks,

Hannah Baker

Answer
Hannah,

It takes a lot of time and patience to teach a horse to stand when being mounted if it's not done when they are first trained to ride.  One of the first commands my horses learn when I'm training is what "STAND" means, whether when I tie them, just stop somewhere and want them to stand while I do something, or while mounting or dismounting.  

You are going to have to out-patience him with this one.  First off, let him know that head butting you, pushing you around, etc. are simply not acceptable behavior.  Get after him when he does this.  Suggest at first that you leave the halter on under the bridle and put the reins over his head when  you bridle him then handle him with the lead.  I use mounting blocks whenever possible simply to reduce the amount of torque on the horse's withers when mounting and have to lead them over to it and get them to stand by it to mount.  In your case, if that's not an option, then just tell him to "stand" whenever you want him to do so.  When getting ready to mount shank him a couple of times with the lead until he's quiet then you can unsnap the lead and get on.  If he starts to move when you put your foot in the stirrup take it out, tell him to stand, and start again. This will take some repetitions for him to learn the command and understand that you will do this until he does stand.  When he does praise him profusely for being a good boy.  If you are 100% consistent he'll get the idea.  How quickly is up to the individual horse, it might take a month, 3 mos., 6 mos. but it will eventually sink in.  Correct him every time and he'll get to where he'll do it when you ask all the time.

Lyn