Great on the ground, bad in the saddle

Question
My QH gelding is a dream on the ground. We've been practicing Natural Horsemanship for a long time, and I can do pretty much anything with him. I can get him to yield his hindquarters from a point, halt him by holding up my hand, back him up by "shooing" my hand at his chest. He's a dream.

Until we start riding.

This is how it used to go: I rode western then, and would tack him up and mount from the ground. He would stand as solid as a rock for me to mount from the ground. We then started having some issues, where he wouldn't want to go up hill or down hill, because the saddle was far too narrow.

So I moved him into a dressage saddle that fits him nicely. Now I have to mount from a mounting block or a chair, and he doesn't like standing still by that thing. It's almost a nightmare to get him to stand still long enough for me to mount.

And when I do finally get up there and get situated, he doesn't want to listen. He's distracted because all he wants is grass. He gets plenty of food normally and is healthy, but when I ask him to move out he gets cranky, and remains cranky, but he's ok on the road, for the most part, because there's no grass under his nose then.

So I guess my question is how do I first get him to stand still and be safe next to the mounting block (I've had my leg over his back and halfway in the saddle when he side steps, which is where I end up laying flat on my back in the dirt) and then how do I get him to calm down and listen to me and stop thinking about grassgrassgrass all the time?

Another thing, while I'm at it, is that he is not so great with direction from the bit. He understands it when I'm on the ground (as he does with all things, pretty much) but he doesn't seem to get it when I ask for the same thing on his back. He backs up and woahs ok with a hint of pressure, but he doesn't seem to get the "turn left, turn right" and sometimes its a quick turn and sometimes its a very slow turn and sometimes he thinks I'm saying to back up and so he backs up, which is NOT what I want.

His temper tantrums are starting to make me nervous, which only makes him worse, and all I want is a calm horse that doesn't threaten to (and then does) buck if can't grab a mouthful of grass. I've tried distracting him with work, but the whole time he's tensed up and still trying to get at the grass, even when I'm asking for complicated patterns and random directions/transitions/backing up.

Answer
Beth,

I will start out with the first question so you have something to work on. I will then write more and ask you questions so I can give you more informed answers.

Are you sure that the saddle fits? Saddle fit can be very difficult. Have you had someone who has been to saddle fitting  clinics, or who has saddle fitting experience check it out?

Does he have back pain because of being ridden in a saddle that did not fit him? Just because his saddle fits now ...he can still have residual pain.I think you should have a good horse chiropractor check him. It will be less expensive in the long run. You can never punish a horse if he is in pain and is just trying in the only way that he can  to tell you that he hurts.
If his back hurts, he will not want to be mounted, but in the meantime it is easy to help him. Mounting means discomfort to him now or the MEMORY of discomfort in his past. Horses have remarkable memories. Do NOT do the "Natural" horsemanship stuff such as chasing him around the mounting block with a flag, etc. All you need is another person at first to help you. Lead him to the mounting block and have the person give him a treat..yes! It is all right to do this.....a peppermint or something small.

Lead him away and then back...in a position where you could get on if you wanted to. Stand on the mounting block, but just have the person give him a treat.When you are ready, tell your helper just before you put your left foot in the stirrup,that you are mounting. Have him/her then give your horse the treat. Pretty soon all you will have to do is give him something yourself once in a while. It is NOT being too soft to help him this way. You only have to be concerned if he starts to demand a treat by nipping or being pushy .Make sure your ground person has either a halter to hold on to the horse or the cavesson of the bridle. Do not hold onto the bit from the ground while a person is getting on a horse.  

People should use mounting blocks if they possibly can. It saves the horse's back and also your saddle.

Write back and give me more details.
My email is SummersDressage@aol.com