hold still while mounting!

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have a 5 year old mare who does not hold still while I'm trying to mount. I have tried a few different things to break her of this: As soon as she moves, I get off and back her up a few steps, but she never seems to get tired of it, and just keeps stepping forward again. I am careful to take my time once I get on to ask her to go forward. How can I get my mare to stand still until I tell her to? THanks. -Erin

ANSWER: Hi Erin!

Before I recommend anything, I'd like a little more information.  Where are you mounting her...inside an arena, outside in a pasture?  Are you mounting from the ground or using a mounting block?  Is this a new issue or has she always done it?  Would you say your swinging into the saddle is quick and easy or not?  Please be honest....some people mount easier than others....some people need extra seconds and a little more effort, so the horse must be more patient.

This is a simple issue to resolve IF it is approached correctly.  Hence, my questions.

Solange

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I mount her inside the arena and outside in the pasture...she moves in either one. I mount from the ground..but I have tried a block, but she movies away from it. She has always done this, even when I test rode her before buying her, but I had to have a horse...you know how that goes! I do swing into the saddle lightly and quickly to minimize any stress on her back. THanks again!  -Erin

Answer
Hi Erin!

This is a common issue and actually quite simple to solve.  

First, you want to start with excellent ground manners.  She must be 99.9% obedient in all ground requests.  See, once a human and horse are together as sole partners for awhile, things tend to get sloppy.  You don't ask correctly everytime, she is really not paying attention all the time and does just enough to get by....it's normal.  You are in a rush or distracted by talking to someone else and believe me, she knows it!  Just as any child knows "Mommy" is not focused and they can take advantage to not do exactly as they are supposed to.

Second, give up actual riding for a few days and just concentrate on correcting this mounting issue permenently.  When you saddle her up and take her to mount, she EXPECTS a ride.  Now is the time to tell her DO NOT EXPECT anything. Now is the time to train her to simply listen to you and do as you say.  She must then focus on you to know what to do next....instead of just saying to herself "Yeah, yeah, yeah you're going to get on and ride me, hurry up!"  Get it?

So decide how you want to mount her most of the time.  From the ground?  OK. And then later you can add the mounting block once she knows the routine.

Start by going through her ground manners during tacking up and make sure you are both focused and correct.  Tack her up as usual, grab a pocketful of her favorite treats that she can eat with a bit in (no treats at any time except during training for right now) and walk her to where you ant to mount.  Ask her to stand, release any hold on her and count to 10.  If she does not move, give her a treat.  Now, take her home and untack.  Done for the day.  You have confused her by drastically altering the routine and now you will have her atteion in the future.

For the next few days go in baby steps.  Tack up and walk over to mount, release and count longer.  If she moves, no treat and you say "Stand!" or "Ho!" and put her back in her original spot.  Try to not pick a fight but, be ready to smack her if she purposefully disobeys.  The only thing that makes a horse consistently behave is respect....fear only works for a little awhile and then there are huge consequences.  Be firm, in your voice and posture.  Being easy on her right now will spoil everything.

Lastly, get ready to mount.  When you feel she is paying complete attention to you and is standing well, go ahead and mount.  Expect her to stand during the mounting, and for a second while you fiddle with reins and stuff and she must not move until you ask for it.  If she does move, dismount, put her back into her original position and start over from square one.  You must have the patience of a saint with complete calm and cool perseverance.  Once you have her standing still for at least 5 seconds before you ask her to walk off, then go ahead and ride her.

How long will this take?  As long as she takes to get it through her thick skull YOU are in CHARGE!  No if's and's or but's.  Just don't forget if you tell her you are in charge, you must be ready to lead.  If she is paying close attention to your cues, then be ready to use them properly or she will lose interest and go back to her old ways.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange