mounting horse

Question
hi sir,
I'm a very new and inexperience horse person
I've been trying to ride my 2 horses everyday (only 1/2 hour each) but the last few times both horses turn away when I try to
get on the saddle. being short i have to use bricks and have my husband hold the horse but i did get on one horse from the ground with no one holding her. what exercise do you suggest i use to get my horse use to standing still while i climb on either from the ground or using a stepping device and nobody holding them

Answer
Hi Jackie,
This is a very common problem. You saddle your horse and are ready for a nice, casual ride. You go to lift your foot and the  horse either walks away or turns it's rump away from you.
This is solved by "making the wrong thing hard....and the right thing easy". You want to make it work for your horse to just walk off or turn and you want it to be easy and rest for your horse to just stand there.
Here is my advise.
Put a halter and lead on your horse to do this. Have your horse saddled. Don't bother with the headstall and bit at this time. Take the lead and turn the horse's head toward you. Don't turn it so much you put it in a bind but enough that the horse is looking at you. Place your left hand on the mane or the horn and lift your foot to step into the stirrup. If the horse walks off or turn it's rump, immediately make the horse lunge. Send the horse in both directions. Don't just send it around in mindless circles but make it change directions alot. Do this until the horse is starting to breath a little heavy. Then stop and try to put your foot up again. If it moves....make it work hard again. This may take several times as this has now become a habit in these horses. The horse will soon find out it is much easier and less labored to just stand there. Once you can put your foot up and step up in the saddle....don't let the horse walk off on it's own. Once you get in the saddle...flex the head to the left until it's nose has either touched your boot, stirrup or it's side. Do this both directions. Then cue it to walk off. Do this each and every time you get in the saddle. The horse will learn that just because you have mounted, doesn't mean you are going anywhere. I sometimes will get on a horse...flex it both directions a few times...and then step off. The horse never out guesses you on if you are going anywhere or not. As stated before, this may take a little time and effort on your part so don't give up and be patient. Don't get angry with them. Just patiently persist.
Good luck, stay safe and remember why you have a horse to begin with....for the love and fun of it.